# NTSB ATL87LA236: Cessna A185F, N3463Y, Mt Airy, NC, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1987, 20:20 local (Aug 23, 1987, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Mt Airy, NC
- Coordinates: 36.499565, -80.61071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4996&lon=-80.6107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- Near collision between aircraft, landing - roll
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - radio communications - not possible, pilot of other aircraft
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced
- Nose over, landing
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER CESSNA 185, N3462Y, ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 18, THE UNICOM OPERATOR WARNED THE PLT OF ANOTHER ACFT IN THE PATTERN. THE OTHER ACFT WAS A MOONEY MITE, N4129. THE CESSNA PLT CONTD HIS APCH, BUT DIDN'T SEE THE MOONEY MITE UNTIL AFTER THE CESSNA TOUCHED DOWN. WHEN THE CESSNA PLT LOWERED HIS NOSE IN A WHEEL LNDG, HE SAW THE OTHER ACFT COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DRCTN. THE MOONEY MITE PLT SAID HE WAS ON THE 1ST 1/3 OF RWY 36 WHEN HE SAW THE CESSNA ON THE 1ST 1/3 OF RWY 18. BOTH PLTS STEERED TO THE RIGHT. AS THE CESSNA WENT OFF THE RWY, THE PLT WAS APPLYING FULL BRAKES. HE SAID THE ACFT 'MIRED DOWN IN THE GRASS' & FLIPPED OVER. THE MOONEY MITE DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (NO RADIO OR LGTS).THE SUN HAD JUST SET & THE RWY LGTS WERE ON. ACCORDING TO THE MOONEY MITE PLT, THERE WAS STILL 'GOOD LIGHT' & THE VISIBILITY WAS GOOD. THE CESSNA PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS CALM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3463Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3463Y), registered now, S/N 18502885, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502885
- Airframe hours: 880
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Solid State Inovations, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1987, 35 hours before
- Departed: FAY, FAYETTEVILLE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MWK, Mount Airy-Surry County, runway 18, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,017 total, 23 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 36 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 19870822047259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870822047259A), Aug 22, 1987: Cessna A185F, Mt Airy, NC, Substantial damage. On rollout pilot spotted a Mooney landing on runway 36. Applied brakes. Veered right off runway and nosed over.

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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