# NTSB ATL87FA045: Cessna 170B, N8062A, Asheville, NC, December 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1986, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Asheville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.430301, -82.500816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4303&lon=-82.5008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA045

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - ground
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB FROM A PRIVATE GRASS AIRSTRIP, WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE AIRCRAFT PERFORM A 'WING-OVER' AEROBATIC MANEUVER AT LOW ALTITUDE AND IMPACT THE GROUND AT A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. A GROUND FIRE CONSUMED THE WRECKAGE. THE PILOT HELD A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE AND HAD ONE PASSENGER ABOARD. LOCAL PILOT'S HAD OBSERVED THE STUDENT PILOT VIOLATE FAR'S AND REPORTED THE ACTIVITIES TO THE FAA. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF INVESTIGATION OR REGULATORY ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE STUDENT PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8062A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8062A-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 20914, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20914
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gail L. Otto
- Registered owner: Gail L. Otto
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: ASHEVILLE, NC
- Destination: 9A9, MARION, NC
- Airport: PVT, Can Creek, runway 5, 2,680 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 6 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 19861219068479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861219068479A), Dec 19, 1986: Cessna 170B, Asheville, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft attempted a wingover on takeoff and impacted the ground. Student carrying passengers.

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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