# NTSB ATL86FA129: Cessna 182P, N52911, Bay Minette, AL, May 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1986, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Bay Minette, AL
- Coordinates: 30.879817, -87.769149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8798&lon=-87.7691&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): 6939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6939/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA129

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A DESCENT. THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY BELOW THE OVERCAST TO DETERMINE HIS LOCATION. THE PLT RADIOED JUST PRIOR TO HIS DESCENT TO ANNOUNCE HIS INTENTIONS TO HIS DESTINATION UNICOM. THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52911](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52911-2011-01-31), registration cancelled 2011-01-31, S/N 18262946, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18262946
- Airframe hours: 917
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steve Reynolds
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 13, 1986, 65 hours before
- Departed: 02J, CORDELE, GA
- Destination: 1R8, BAY MINETTE, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 18,250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860515017829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860515017829A), May 15, 1986: Cessna 182P, Bay Minette, AL, Substantial damage. The aircraft impacted trees during descent in fog. VFR pilot attempted flight in IFR conditions.

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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