# NTSB ATL86FA055: Cessna T337B, N2407S, Talladega, AL, January 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1986, 18:03 local (Jan 4, 1986, 00:03 UTC)
- Place: Talladega, AL
- Coordinates: 33.430156, -86.089454 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4302&lon=-86.0895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA055

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(hypertension), pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING THE FINAL APPROACH TO LANDING. THE LIGHT CONDITIONS WERE DARK, SKIES WERE CLEAR AND WINDS WERE CALM. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT HAD LANDED AND VISITED THE FBO FROM WHERE THE ACFT WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED TO CORRECT SOME AVIONIC DISAGREEMENTS. THE VISIT WAS BRIEF AND THE PLT WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN UPSET AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE. MEDICAL FINDINGS ON THE PLT CONFIRMED A CONDITION EVIDENT OF HYPERTENSION. THE PLT HAD BEEN TAKING MEDICATION FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SINCE 9/84. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MEDICATION IN THE PLT'S SYSTEM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2407S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2407S-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 337-0707, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T337B
- Registry model: [Cessna T337B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t337b) (registry code 2075707) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0707
- Airframe hours: 1914
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-A/B 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J.Leonard Mizell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985, 91 hours before
- Departed: TCL, TUSCALOOSA, AL
- Destination: ASN, TALLADEGA, AL
- Airport: ASN, Talladega, runway 3, 6,002 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,544 total, 49 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 9 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 19860103000409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860103000409A), Jan 3, 1986: Cessna T337B, Talladega, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended too low and struck trees on a quarter mile final. VASI lights available. No mechanical malfunction found.

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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