# NTSB ATL86MA080: Beech G18S, N74FA, Copperhill, TN, February 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1986, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Copperhill, TN
- Coordinates: 34.990699, -84.369537 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9907&lon=-84.3695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 20, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7214
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86MA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7214/pdf
- Board report AAR8802 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8802.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86MA080

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ALERTED AT 0100 FOR 0200 FLT FM KENOSHA TO MILWAUKEE, WI TO PICK UP CARGO FOR A FLT TO ATLANTA, GA. AT 0310,THE ACFT DEPTD MILWAUKEE IN VFR. EN ROUTE, THE PLT OBTAINED WX & AN IFR CLNC. SOME OF HIS RDO XMSNS WERE NOT STANDARD. AT 0433, HE COMPLIED WITH ATC REQUEST FOR FREQ CHG, BUT HIS RDO XMSNS WERE NOT CLEAR. APRX 5 MIN LATER, ATC ASKED THE PLT TO CHG FREQ AGAIN, BUT 5 CALLS WERE MADE BFR HE REPLIED. HIS LAST XMSN WAS AT 0445:48; HE DIDN'T RESPOND TO FURTHER ATC CALLS. THE ACFT CONTD CRUISING AT 11,000' UNTIL 0621, THEN IT DSCNDD W/O CLNC. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT 0627 CST (0727 EST). SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IT IMPACTED TREES ON A MTN, THEN CRASHED TO THE GND & BURNED. A WITNESS BELIEVED THE ENGS WERE THROTTLED BACK BFR IMPACT. ALSO, THE WITNESS RPRTD LOW CLDS & FOG, BUT SAID THE MTN WAS VISIBLE & WAS NOT OBSCURED. THE PLT HAD A 0.158% BAC, NO SLEEP FOR 21.5 HRS, HISTORY OF ALCOHOL ABUSE, 7 PRIOR DWI CONVICTIONS (& NDR REC). ALSO, HE FALSIFIED FAA MEDICAL APPLICATIONS. FAA WAS ADVISED IN 1984, BUT TOOK NO ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue(flight schedule), company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: N74FA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH G18S
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-504
- Airframe hours: 14640
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: K Airways,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1985, 37 hours before
- Departed: MKE, MILWAUKEE, WI
- Destination: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 1A3, Martin Campbell

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, 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: 7,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 118 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 44 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 19860222006079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860222006079A), Feb 22, 1986: Beech G18S, Cherokee, TN, Destroyed. Impacted trees after slow descent. Unable to communicate with pilot prior to crash. Fatigue and alcohol a factor.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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