# NTSB ATL86FA265: Cessna A-37A, N3757Z, Yantley, AL, September 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1986, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Yantley, AL
- Coordinates: 32.160366, -88.279792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1604&lon=-88.2798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA265

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE ACFT WHICH HAD AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE. DURING A PREFLT WX BRIEFING, HE WAS ADVISED OF TOWERING CUMULUS CLOUDS ALONG HIS ROUTE. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE INITIATED A CLIMB TO FL 240 & LEVELED OFF APRX 10 MIN LATER. AFTER ANOTHER 7 MIN, THE PLT TRANSMITTED 'N3757Z, I'M IN TROUBLE!'  SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WERE LOST. A MILITARY ACFT WAS DIVERTED TO THE AREA & THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. FLT CREWS OF OTHER ACFT RPRTD THERE WAS HEAVY WX ACTIVITY IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3757Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3757Z-1991-03-20), registration cancelled 1991-03-20, S/N 6714537 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A-37A
- Registry model: [Cessna-Thunderbird A-37A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-thunderbird-a-37a) (registry code 2074321) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 67-14537
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: GE J-85-GE-5A 2850 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Thunderbird Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Wendy'S Of Austin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: TOI, TROY, AL
- Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; 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: 2,400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 28 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 19860925046299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860925046299A), Sep 25, 1986: Cessna A37A, Yantley, AL, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted the ground at a high speed. Pilot was flying in an area of thunderstorms.

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.