# NTSB ATL86FA058: Cessna 310G, N8983Z, Ragland, AL, January 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1986, 13:42 local (19:42 UTC)
- Place: Ragland, AL
- Coordinates: 33.739521, -86.129348 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7395&lon=-86.1293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6919
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6919/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA058

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - fuel system - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - flight control,elevator surface - separation (contributing factor)
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - separation (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WITH SPUTTERING ENGS WAS HEARD CIRCLING OVERHEAD IN LOW OVERCAST SKIES. THE HORIZONTAL TAIL SURFACES SEPARATED IN-FLT AND CAME TO REST APRX 450 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE STUDENT PLT HAD NO INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE. THE ACFT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR APRX 3.6 HRS DURING THIS FLT. THE ACFT HAD A TOTAL FLT ENDURANCE OF APRX 3.6 HRS FROM TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8983Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8983Z-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 310G0083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310G
- Registry model: [Cessna 310G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310g) (registry code 2074218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310G0083
- Airframe hours: 2617
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John E. Maxcey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1985, 80 hours before
- Departed: OMN, ORMOND BEACH, FL
- Destination: 0G6, BRYAN, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 325 total, 125 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 34 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 19860118000839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860118000839A), Jan 18, 1986: Cessna 310G, Ragland, AL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Inflight airframe failure after control loss in heavy rain. Student pilot had no multi engine endorsement.

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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