# NTSB ATL90FA144: Cessna 305A, N5301G, Fruitdale, AL, July 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1990, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Fruitdale, AL
- Coordinates: 31.339466, -88.41011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3395&lon=-88.4101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8141
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8141/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA144

## Probable cause

THE PILOT EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT BY ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WHILE IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, undetermined (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO HIS DESTINATION, THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED OPERATING THE AIRPLANE IN AN ERRATIC MANNER. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND CRASHED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM; HOWEVER, THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS INDICATED THAT HE HAD A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF .20%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5301G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5301G), registered now, S/N 22808, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22808
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11B 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Albert B. Morton
- Departed: 83J, PENSACOLA, FL
- Destination: OLV, OLIVE BRANCH, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOB, 40 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 19900715025629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900715025629A), Jul 15, 1990: Cessna 305A, Fruitdale, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed circling at low altitude. Wing hit tree. Crashed into ground. Pilot tested positive alcohol.

## Other investigations on N5301G (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 ERA23LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA088), Dec 10, 2022: Cessna 305 (N5301G), Alabaster, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the tailwheel locking mechanism, which resulted in a loss of control during landing and a runway excursion.

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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