# NTSB ATL86FA259: Cessna 150M, N66297, Screven, GA, September 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1986, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Screven, GA
- Coordinates: 31.480405, -82.009201 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4804&lon=-82.0092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA259

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT AND HIS BEST MAN FOR HIS WEDDING SCHEDULED FOR LATER IN THE DAY DEP LCL APT EARLY IN THE AM. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALT OVER THE PLTS PARENTS HOME. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE MANEUVERS TO BE LIKE A CROP DUSTER MAKING PULL UPS AND TURNS AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN. JUST PRIOR TO THE CRASH, WITH THE ACFT FLYING FROM WEST TO EAST, A WITNESS STATED THAT THE ACFT PULLED UP INTO 60-70 DEG OF PITCH, PUT THE LEFT WING STRAIGHT DOWN AND DESCEND OUT OF SIGHT BEHIND TREES. THE SOUND OF THE CRASH WAS HEARD AND SHORTLY SMOKE WAS SIGHTED. THE ACFT DESCENT ANGLE WAS NEAR VERTICAL AT IMPACT. SUNRISE WAS JUST ABOVE HORIZON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66297](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66297-1993-03-25), registration cancelled 1993-03-25, S/N 15075979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-75979
- Airframe hours: 4938
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harless Aviation
- Registered owner: Randy Childs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 26, 1986, 30 hours before
- Departed: JES, JESUP, GA
- Airport: JES, Jesup-Wayne Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 179 total, 120 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMG, 25 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 19860920045519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860920045519A), Sep 20, 1986: Cessna 150M, Screven, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft spun into the ground during buzzing maneuvers. Test for alcohol was positive.

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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