# NTSB ATL86FA239: Cessna P206-B, N4782F, Wht Sulphur Spr, WV, September 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1986, 21:15 local (Sep 2, 1986, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Wht Sulphur Spr, WV
- Coordinates: 37.790645, -80.29013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7906&lon=-80.2901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA239

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - maneuver - continued, pilot in command
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high terrain

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING THE REVENUE PRODUCING PORTION OF THIS TRIP THE COMPANY PRESIDENT CALLED HIS COMPANY OPERATIONS AND TOLD HIS SECRETARY TO SEND EVERYONE HOME SINCE IT WAS A HOLIDAY. HE WAS GOING TO RETURN THE ACFT TO ITS HOME BASE HIMSELF. THE PLT DEPARTED VFR, AIR FILED AND FLEW AN IFR FLT PLAN TO THE FINAL APCH FIX TO THE CLOSEST ARPT WITH AN INSTRUMENT APCH, CANCELLED THE IFR FLT PLAN AND HEADED TOWARD THE HOME ARPT VFR. FOG AND LOW CEILINGS WERE IN THE AREA AT THE TIME. THE ARPT WAS EQUIPPED WITH RWY LIGHTS BUT DID NOT HAVE STROBES ON EITHER END, IT WAS LOCATED IN A VALLEY. AN ACFT WAS OBSERVED EAST OF THE APT LATER IN THE NIGHT. IT HAD ALREADY PASSED THE ARPT AND WAS IN A TURN WHEN LAST OBSERVED. AN ALNOT WAS ISSUED DURING THE NIGHT FOR THE MISSING ACFT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE NEXT DAY ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE WEST AND NORTH OF THE ARPT, ON THE SOUTH-WEST SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4782F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P206-B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P206-0382
- Airframe hours: 2497
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-KCA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Greenbrier Airlines Inc.
- Registered owner: Greenbrier Airport, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1986, 76 hours before
- Departed: DAY, DAYTON, OH
- Destination: SSU
- Airport: SSU, White Sulphur Springs

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,719 total, 44 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LWB, 6 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 19860901042979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860901042979A), Sep 1, 1986: Cessna P206B, White Sulphur S, WV, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted trees while operating at low level at night. Pilot attempted VFR flight in IFR weather.

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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