# NTSB ATL86LA096: Cessna 172K, N7374G, Stone Mountain, GA, March 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1986, 00:10 local (05:10 UTC)
- Place: Stone Mountain, GA
- Location: 33.8042° N, 84.1714° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stone Mountain, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8042&lon=-84.1714&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7077
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7077/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA096

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - improper (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF AT NGT, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED LOW VISIBILITY (VIS) IN FOG. HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT FOR LNDG, BUT THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA APRX 3/4 MI FROM THE ARPT. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.17 GRAMS PERCENT (0.17%). WITNESS INFO INDCD THE PREVAILING WX WAS ABOUT 3000 FT SCATTERED, VIS 1-1/2 MI WITH FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7374G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7374G-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 17259074, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259074
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jimmy O. Britt Terry W. Moon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: OOA, STONE MOUNTAIN, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 112 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860315007909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860315007909A), Mar 15, 1986: Cessna 172K, Stone Mountain, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot made takeoff in IMC weather in fog. Aircraft crashed as pilot was attempting a return to airport.

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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