# NTSB ATL86FA178: Cessna 120, N89789, Marlton, NJ, June 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1986, 18:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Marlton, NJ
- Location: 39.9019° N, 74.9293° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marlton, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9019&lon=-74.9293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA178

## 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)
  - judgment - poor, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED WHILE THE PLTS WERE PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, AEROBATICS WERE BEING PERFORMED AT AN ABOUT 500 FT AGL.  THEY RPRTD THAT THE PLTS HAD MADE AN OVERHEAD MANEUVER (LOOP) & WERE RECOVERING FROM A DSCNT WHEN THE ACFT HIT THE TREES. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THE LEFT SEAT OCCUPANT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.246% & THE RGT SEAT OCCUPANT'S BLOOD/ALCOLOL LVL WAS 0.218%. THE ACFT WAS NOT CERTIFICATED FOR AEROBATIC FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89789](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89789-2017-02-04), registration cancelled 2017-02-04, S/N 8838, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8838
- Airframe hours: 2098
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cloud Cruiser Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1985, 121 hours before
- Departed: 16N, BERLIN, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHL, 30 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 19860621082179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860621082179A), Jun 21, 1986: Cessna 120, Marlton, NJ, Destroyed. The aircraft struck trees while performing aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude. Both pilots were intoxicated.

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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