# NTSB ATL86LA105: Cessna 152, N48885, Moultrie, GA, April 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1986, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Moultrie, GA
- Coordinates: 31.15908, -83.770324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1591&lon=-83.7703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7082
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7082/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA105

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

A DEPUTY SHERIFF RENTED AN ACFT TO ASSIST THE SHERIFF'S DEPT WITH A GROUND SEARCH FOR AN ESCAPED PRISONER. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING LOW AND SLOW OVER THE AREA WHEN IT MADE A PARTIAL TURN AND PITCH DOWN INTO THE TREES. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N48885 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281028
- Airframe hours: 2230
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Anderson Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 1985, 82 hours before
- Departed: MGR, MOULTRIE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 147 total, 147 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19860405053149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860405053149A), Apr 5, 1986: Cessna 152, Mowltrie, GA, Destroyed. Aircraft banked sharply at low altitude and stalled into trees. Was conducting aerial search for an escaped convict.

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.
