# NTSB ATL90FA132: Cessna 182E, N9244X, Newland, NC, June 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1990, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Newland, NC
- Coordinates: 36.079059, -81.919685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0791&lon=-81.9197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8136
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8136/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA132

## Probable cause

ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - tree(s)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED COMMERCIAL PILOT DEPARTED ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA FOR A VFR FLIGHT TO ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE. WITNESSES IN THE AREA REPORTED THAT THE WEATHER IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT WAS LESS THAN THAT REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES. THE WITNESSES ALSO STATED THAT THE TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED IN HAZE AND CLOUDS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN. THE BREAKS IN THE TOP OF THE TREES SHOW THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER APPROXIMATELY 90 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9244X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9244X-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 18253644, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253644
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elam, Donald O.
- Registered owner: Elam, Donald O.
- Departed: AVL, ASHEVILLE, NC
- Destination: RVN, ROGERSVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,299 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 38 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 19900616065839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900616065839A), Jun 16, 1990: Cessna 182E, Newland, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted trees in level flight on side of cloud obscured mountain. No weather briefing,no checkout in type.

## Other investigations on N9244X (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC67D0638](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0638), Apr 23, 1967: Cessna 182 (N9244X), Millville, NJ, substantial damage

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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