# NTSB ATL86LA151: Cessna 120, N76730, Magnolia, KY, May 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1986, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Magnolia, KY
- Coordinates: 37.449222, -85.749237 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4492&lon=-85.7492&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): 7116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS USING THE ACFT TO DROP A TOOL TO A MECHANIC FRIEND AND WAS FLYING AT LOW ALT TOWARD RISING TERRAIN TO VERIFY THE LOCATION WHERE THE TOOL FELL. WITNESSES SAID THAT WHEN THE PLT EXITED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE STATED HE WAS TOO LOW, TOO SLOW, AND THE ENG 'STALLED'. PHOTOS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOW THE THROTTLE FULLY RETARDED AND BENT DOWN 90 DEGREES. PHOTOS OF THE ACFT INDICATE LITTLE FORWARD VELOCITY AND EVIDENCE OF A NEAR VERTICAL IMPACT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT REMEMBER DETAILS AND THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76730](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76730-2006-08-29), registration cancelled 2006-08-29, S/N 11162, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11162
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip B. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1985, 47 hours before
- Departed: I98, ELIZABETHTOWN, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 191 total, 130 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTK, 40 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 19860531020169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860531020169A), May 31, 1986: Cessna 120, Magnolia, KY, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to maintain airspeed after aircraft lost power at low altitude. Carburetor icing suspected.

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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