# NTSB ATL85LA273: Cessna 404, N128SP, Hayesville, NC, September 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1985, 01:05 local (05:05 UTC)
- Place: Hayesville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.040275, -83.810348 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0403&lon=-83.8103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6873/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA273

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - aircraft handling (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire/explosion, other

## Analysis

FISHERMAN HEARD AN AIRCRAFT OVERHEAD BUT DID NOT SEE ANY SIGN OF IT IN THE NIGHT SKY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THEY SAW A FLASH AND FIRE ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, THEN THEY HEARD THE EXPLOSION. THE SHERIFF WAS CALLED AND AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CRASHED AIRCRAFT. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF OCCUPANTS IN OR NEAR THE AIRCRAFT. THE NEXT MORNING THE BODY OF A HEAVILY ARMED MAN WHO HAD ON A PARACHUTE AND A DEPLOYED RESERVE PARACHUTE WAS FOUND SEVERAL MILES AWAY IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. A KEY TO THE CRASHED AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND ON THE BODY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N128SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N128SP-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 404-0429 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 404
- Registry model: [Cessna 404](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-404) (registry code 2075901) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 404 0429
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-M 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Opex, Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: UNKNOWN
- Destination: UNKNOWN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 45 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850911047119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850911047119A), Sep 11, 1985: Cessna 404CESSNA, Hayesville, NC, Destroyed. Collided with terrain and burned. Occupants not found. Deceased chutist found nearby had keys to aircraft.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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