# NTSB ATL86FA133: Cessna 172, N6839A, Douglasville, GA, May 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 19:21 local (23:21 UTC)
- Place: Douglasville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.74047, -84.740264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7405&lon=-84.7403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA133

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALT & CIRCLING SEVERAL HOUSES. THE PLT LANDED ON A GRASS STRIP, THEN AFTER A SHORT TIME, HE & HIS PASSENGER TOOK OFF AGAIN. THE ACFT WAS AGAIN OBSERVED CIRCLING SEVERAL HOUSES AT LOW ALT IN AN AREA NEAR THE STRIP. A WITNESS RPRTD THAT THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP TURN AT LOW ALT, & SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IT COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL TREES, THEN IMPACTED THE ROOF OF A HOUSE. THE ENG SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT & WENT THRU THE ROOF, BUT THE FUSELAGE BOUNCED OFF THE ROOF, HIT ANOTHER TREE, THEN FELL TO THE GND. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT & PASSENGER SHOWED THEY HAD BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.17 GRAMS PERCENT (0.17%) & 0.132%, RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6839A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6839A-2013-10-24), registration cancelled 2013-10-24, S/N 28939, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28939
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: None
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PVT, DOUGLASVILLE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGE, 16 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 19860517017859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860517017859A), May 17, 1986: Cessna 172, Douglasville, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Alcohol impaired student pilot with passenger buzzed area. Lost control crashed into trees and a residence.

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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