# NTSB ATL93FA107: Cessna TP206, N5719J, Epworth, GA, June 10, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 1993, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Epworth, GA - Coordinates: 34.919692, -84.510025 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9197&lon=-84.5100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3184 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3184/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA107 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VERTICAL CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TREES WHILE MANEUVERING WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLISION WITH TREES. ## 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) - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S WIFE, THE PILOT WOULD CUSTOMARILY OVERFLY HIS HOME UPON RETURNING FROM A FLIGHT. BUT, AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT, THE PILOT WAS ON THE DEPARTURE LEG OF THE FLIGHT AND HIS WIFE WAS NOT EXPECTING A FLYBY. THE PILOT'S WIFE WAS IN THE FAMILY'S GARDEN WHEN SHE OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE AS IT APPROACHED FROM THE NORTH; THE AIRPLANE FLEW OVER HER POSITION AND SHE WAVED AT HER HUSBAND. THE PILOT'S WIFE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS SEVERAL FEET ABOVE THE TREES WHEN THE PILOT STARTED A LEFT TURN. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON A RIDGE SOUTHEAST OF THE PILOT'S WIFE'S POSITION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR A COMPONENT FAILURE. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 10, 1993, at 0850 eastern daylight time, a Cessna TP206, N5719J, collided with trees while maneuvering over the pilot's home near Epworth, Georgia. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire; the two occupants were fatally injured in the accident. The flight departed Copperhill, Tennessee, at 0840 hours. According to the pilot's wife, she was working in the family garden when her husband flew overhead in N5719J. She reported that the airplane approached her position from the north and the airplane was several feet above the tree tops. After the airplane crossed her position, the pilot started a left turn; the pilot's wife waved at her husband as he continued the turn. She continued to watch the airplane until it stopped the left turn and collided with trees on a ridge southeast of her position. The pilot's son also observed the collision with the trees and reported that the airplane fell to the ground and burned. According to the pilot's wife, the engine sound was normal throughout the over flight and until the airplane collided with the trees. There were no unusual attitude conditions observed by the witness. Finally, the pilot's wife said that her husband usually flew over the house on his return flights instead of departure flights. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the pilot is included in this report at the data field labeled First Pilot Information. The pilot's flight logs were not recovered for examination. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Information on the aircraft is contained in this report at the data field labeled Aircraft Information. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Weather information is contained in this report at the data field labeled Weather Information. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Wreckage debris was scattered over an area approximately 135 feet long and 45 feet wide. Components from the empennage were located in the vicinity of where the pilot's wife reported the collision with the 75 foot tall trees. All flight control assemblies were located within the wreckage and impact areas. The fire-damaged main wreckage rested in a near inverted position in the pilot's backyard. Fire destroyed the aircraft center section and empennage. Examination of the airframe failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. The engine examination also failed to reveal a mechanical problem. Examination of the propeller assembly showed twisting moments on the propeller blade tips. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Post mortem examination of the pilot was performed by Dr. Kris L. Sperry, Georgia Bureau Of Investigation, Division Of Forensic Sciences, in Decatur, Georgia, on June 11, 1993. The cause of death was determined to be multiple injuries. The toxicological examinations were negative for ethanol and drugs. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The aircraft was released to Mr. Phillip Powell, an insurance adjustor, with Carson Brooks, Atlanta, Georgia. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5719J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5719J-1997-08-26), registration cancelled 1997-08-26, S/N P20600619 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TP206 - Registry model: [Cessna TP206E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tp206e) (registry code 2073348) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TP2066006A - Airframe hours: 4500 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Foresee, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1993, 80 hours before - Departed: 1A3, COPPERHILL, TN - Destination: MMI, ATHENS, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CHA, 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 19930610017789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930610017789A), Jun 10, 1993: Cessna TP206E, Epworth, GA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Circle low over pilots residence wife waved. Pilot turned toward ridge and struck trees. Crashed and burned. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.