# NTSB ATL85MA177: Gulfstream G-159, N181TG, Nashville, TN, June 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1985, 23:00 local (Jun 1, 1985, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.110038, -86.660652 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1100&lon=-86.6607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6893
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85MA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6893/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85MA177

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible
  - descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED AS GENERAL AVIATION FLT 115 & WAS DEPTG ON A ROUTINE NIGHT FLT. DRG TAKEOFF/INITIAL CLIMB, THE LEFT ENG LOST PWR. THE FLT CREW ATTEMPTED TO CONT THE CLIMB-OUT, BUT FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF WATER-METHANOL, THE PLT LOST DRCTNL CONTROL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT BANKED TO THE LEFT, ENTERED A DSCNT & IMPACTED BETWEEN THE PARALLEL RWYS. AN INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT PROPELLER'S BLADE ANGLE WAS 21 DEGS. NO PREIMPACT SYS MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDING INDICATED THAT THE FLT CREW DID NOT COMPLETE ALL OF THE ITEMS ON THE BEFORE TAXI/TAKEOFF CHECKLIST. ONE OF THE ITEMS (PRESUMABLY NOT COMPLETED) WAS A CHECK OF THE H.P. COCK LEVERS. THE CHECKLIST REQUIRED THAT THE H.P. COCK LEVERS BE IN 'CRUISE LOCKOUT' FOR TAKEOFF. THE LEFT H.P. COCK LEVER WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE 'FUEL OFF' & 'FEATHER' POSITIONS. MOVEMENT TO THIS POSITION WOULD HAVE DEACTIVATED THE AUTO-FEATHER SYS & SHUT DOWN THE LEFT ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N181TG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM G-159
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 181
- Airframe hours: 1363
- Engines: ROLLS-ROYCE DART 529-8X/E 1910 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: General Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Tag
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 18, 1985, 68 hours before
- Departed: BNA
- Destination: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BNA, Nashville Metro, runway 20R, 7,700 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,300 total, 877 in this make and model, 107 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA

## 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 19850531024849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850531024849A), May 31, 1985: Gulstm G1159, Nashville, TN, Destroyed. Tapes indicate left engine problem. None found. Pilots incorrect emergency procedures a suspected factor.

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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