# NTSB ATL87FA074: Cessna 182P, N5824J, Crossville, TN, February 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1987, 18:30 local (Feb 21, 1987, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Crossville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.950328, -85.030166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9503&lon=-85.0302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA074

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper recurrent training, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE RENTAL ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN AT SUBSTANTIAL AIRSPEED IN LEVEL FLT. VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED BY FSS DUE TO LOW CEILINGS, RAIN AND FOG. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PLT HAD NOT LOGGED A FLT FOR A FIVE MONTH PERIOD PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CFI STATED THAT THE PLT DID NOT EXCEL IN ANY AREA OF HIS FLYING SKILLS DURING A BFR FLT THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF MECHANICAL OR STRUCTURAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE IMPACT. THE ACFT HAS BEEN OVERDUE AND MISSING FOR THREE DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5824J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5824J-1990-03-23), registration cancelled 1990-03-23, S/N 18263558 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18263558
- Airframe hours: 1342
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Aviation,Inc.
- Registered owner: William E. Cathey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1987, 8 hours before
- Departed: BRY, BARDSTOWN, KY
- Destination: 3M3, COLLEGEDALE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 361 total, 92 in this make and model, 295 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSV, 15 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 19870220002969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870220002969A), Feb 20, 1987: Cessna 182P, Crossville, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft struck trees and rising terrain. Suspect the VFR pilot attempted flight in IFR conditions.

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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