# NTSB ATL86FA009: Cessna 172N, N3177E, Clayton, GA, October 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1985, 14:08 local (18:08 UTC)
- Place: Clayton, GA
- Coordinates: 34.870853, -83.400642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8709&lon=-83.4006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA009

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER SHOWED UP FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW AND CHECKED THE WEATHER FOR THE RETURN TRIP TO FLORIDA. THEY FOUND THE WEATHER VFR AT THE AIRPORT. AN EMPLOYEE OF THE FBO TOOK THE PILOT OUTSIDE AND POINTED OUT THAT THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SOUTH WERE STILL PARTIALLY COVERED BY CLOUDS. THE PILOT TOLD HIM TO NOT MENTION THIS FACT TO THE PILOTS WIFE. THE PILOT REPORTED AFTER TAKE OFF THAT HE WAS AT 3000 FEET AND THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LATER SEEN AT LOW LEVEL OVER A TOWN TO THE SOUTH. NEXT IT WAS HEARD ABOVE OR IN THE CLOUDS NEAR GLASSY MOUNTAIN. THE ENGINE WAS HEARD TO INCREASE IN RPM A FEW SECONDS PRIOR TO THE SOUND OF IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3177E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3177E-2013-07-15), registration cancelled 2013-07-15, S/N 17271462, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1721462
- Airframe hours: 1333
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bertrand L. Fontaine
- Registered owner: Rolling Meadows Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1985, 58 hours before
- Departed: IAS, FRANKLIN, NC
- Destination: PIE, ST.PETERSBURG, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 152 total, 27 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 59 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 19851022052849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851022052849A), Oct 22, 1985: Cessna 172N, Clayton, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Attempted flight into mountainous area with low ceiling and visibility. Struck trees and the side of a mountain.

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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