# NTSB ATL86FA212: Cessna 172, N96701, Bridgeport, WV, July 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1986, 05:33 local (09:33 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, WV
- Coordinates: 39.290176, -80.249763 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2902&lon=-80.2498&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): 6954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA212

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - not used, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 21. THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR THE APPROACH AFTER THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT. THERE WAS NO CURRENT WEATHER OBSERVATION AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, BUT A LOCAL AIR TAXI OPERATOR REPORTED THAT AT 0610 EDT, THE WX WAS, IN PART: 200 FT OBSCD, VISIBILITY 1/8 MI. THE APPROACH PROCEDURE REQUIRED THAT THE PILOT USE THE MORGANTOWN ALTIMETER SETTING AND ADD 100 FEET TO THE DECISION HEIGHT.THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ABOUT 2-1/2 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE APPROACH WAS 1700 FEET MSL. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 1203 FT. THE CRASH SITE WAS AT APRX THE SAME ELEVATION AS THE ARPT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE FLT PLAN INDCD THAT THE PERSON IN THE COPLT'S SEAT WAS THE PIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96701](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96701-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 17276104, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276104
- Airframe hours: 2478
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gull Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 1986, 9 hours before
- Departed: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Destination: CLARKSBURG, WV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CKB, Benebum Airport, runway 21, 5,198 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,300 total, 1,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 2 knots
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CKB

## 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 19860728036459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860728036459A), Jul 28, 1986: Cessna 172P, Clarksburg, WV, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted the ground during an ILS approach. The aircraft descended below dh into trees 3 miles short.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.