# NTSB ATL96FA018: Navion D, N96Q, Canton, GA, December 5, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: December 5, 1995, 18:17 local (23:17 UTC) - Place: Canton, GA - Coordinates: 34.240345, -84.48973 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2403&lon=-84.4897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 4, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3637 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96FA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3637/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=3637 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96FA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's impairment of judgement and performance due to drugs which led to his overconfidence of personal ability and continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. The weather conditions and dark night were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - light condition - night (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause) - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause) - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The noninstrument-rated private pilot called the Macon AFSS and obtained a preflight weather briefing for a visual rules flight from Brunswick, Ga., to Canton, Ga., and was advised that IFR conditions existed throughout the area of his destination. Witnesses first observed the airplane approach the Canton airport from the southeast, at a low altitude. The airplane then made a right turn over the airport, and proceeded in a southeasterly direction at low altitude until impacting the terrain about one mile southeast of the airport. A witness stated that the weather at the time of the accident was 1/4 mile visibility in fog and light rain, with an overcast ceiling at 300 feet. Other pilots, based at the same airport as the pilot, reported that the pilot's attitude toward flying was haphazard, and that he had little regard toward safety. An FAA Flight Surgeon reported that the substances found during the toxicological examination of the pilot would have caused sedation, drowsiness, disorientation, and that his judgment would have been impaired. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 5, 1995, at 1817 eastern standard time, a Navion D, N96Q was destroyed following a collision with the terrain near Cherokee County Airport, Canton, Georgia. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight originated at Jekyll Island, Georgia, at an undetermined time. At approximately 1512, the pilot called the Macon Automated Flight Service Station and obtained a pre-flight weather briefing for a visual rules flight from Jekyll Island, Georgia, to Canton, Georgia. The flight had a proposed departure time of 1620. Personnel at the Flight Service Station advised the pilot that Visual Flight Rules flight was not recommended for this flight due to the low ceilings and low visibility in the North Georgia area. Witnesses observed the airplane approach the Cherokee County Airport from the southeast, at a low altitude. A witness stated that the aircraft made a right turn over the airport, and then proceeded in a southeasterly direction at low altitude until impacting the terrain about one mile southeast of the Canton Airport. The witness stated that at the time the aircraft was observed, all that could be seen of the aircraft through the fog was the rotating beacon. The witness stated that the weather in the area at the time was: low ceilings of less than 300 feet, and visibility as low as 1/4 mile in fog and light rain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate, with airplane single engine rating. He held a third class medical certificate, which was issued on January 18, 1995, with no limitations. Other pilots, based at the same airport as the pilot, reported that the pilot's attitude toward flying was haphazard, and that he had little regard toward safety. Pilot's at the local airport nicknamed him as "Fireball". Additional information on the pilot, is included in this report in the section titled "First Pilot Information." AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Navion D is a low wing, single engine, retractable tricycle gear airplane. The last annual inspection was performed on N96Q on January 11, 1995. Additional aircraft information is included in this report in the section titled "Aircraft Information" METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Witnesses stated that the weather in the area of the accident site was less than that required for flight under visual flight rules. Additional meteorological information may be obtained in this report under section titled "Weather Information". WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft impacted trees, and the terrain on a heading of approximately 230 degrees. The aircraft wreckage was distributed over an area approximately 153 feet in length. There was an intense post crash fire, which consumed most of the aircraft cockpit, and fuselage. The first signs of impact were in the tops of trees, approximately 80 feet above ground level. Pieces of large tree limbs were found in the wreckage path. Some of the tree limbs had ends which had been smoothly cut at a forty five degree angle. There was a ground scar, approximately 36 inches in width, beginning about 110 feet from the initial impact, and extending approximately 38 feet, in the direction of impact, to the main wreckage site. Continuity of the aircraft flight controls could not be established as a result of the fire, and deformation of the fuselage area of the aircraft. All observed control cable fractures were typical of overload failures. The aircraft propeller showed signs of "S" bending, chordwise scratching, and twisting towards low pitch. There was continuity of the engine drive train. See Wreckage Diagram attached to this report for further detail. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION A post mortem examination of the pilot was performed by John Parker, M.D., and Carol Terry, M.D. of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Division of Forensic Sciences. The report states that the pilot died as a result of his extensive injuries, and not as a result of the subsequent fire that involved the aircraft. A toxicology analysis was performed on the pilot by the Federal Aviation Administration Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory. The substances found in the toxicological exam are listed below: 0.488 (ug/ml, ug/g) Flouxetine 0.698 (ug/ml, ug/g) Norflouxetine 0.152 (ug/ml, ug/g) Nordiazepam 0.148 (ug/ml, ug/g) Chlorpheniramine Ephedrine Phenylpropanolamine Acetominophen Salicylate Diltiazem Chlordiazepoxide Pseudoephedrine For more details on the toxicological examination, refer to the attached toxicological report. Dr. Millet, of the Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region Medical Examiner's Office, reported that the substances found in the pilot's body would have caused sedation, drowsiness, and disorientation. He also said that judgment would be impaired. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The aircraft wreckage was released to Mr. Jimmy Rickerson, the owners insurance representative, on December 6, 1996. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96Q-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N NAV-4-328D, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Navion D - Registry model: [Navion NAVION D](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-d) (registry code 6150114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-328D - Engines: Continental O-470-P 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry W. Fouts - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1995 - Departed: 09J, JEKYLL ISLAND, GA - Destination: 47A, GA - Airport: 47A, Cherokee County, runway 4, 3,400 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 180 total, 180 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PDK, 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 19951205039989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951205039989A), Dec 5, 1995: Tmpson NAVIOND, Canton, GA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Advised IFR for route. Went anyway. Saw circling low. Impacted a mile away. Pilot had reckless attitude. ## Other investigations on N96Q (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 NYC74FGM30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74FGM30), May 15, 1974: Navion D (N96Q), West Mifflin, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (16 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 27, 1996, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=3637. 2.4 MB in all. - Supplement A - WreckageDocumentation (item 1, .PDF, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40052244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20A%20-%20WreckageDocumentation-Master.PDF - Supplement B - Cockpit Documentation (item 2, .PDF, 311 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40052245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20B%20-%20Cockpit%20Documentation-Master.PDF - Supplement K - Occupant, Survival and Injury Information (item 3, .PDF, 370 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40052246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20K%20-%20Occupant,%20Survival%20and%20Injury%20Information-Master.PDF - Supplement S - Aircraft Occupant and Injured Ground Personnel (item 4, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40052247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S%20-%20Aircraft%20Occupant%20and%20Injured%20Ground%20Personnel-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Photo Showing the Broken Out Tops of Trees (item 5, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40052248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Photo%20Showing%20the%20Broken%20Out%20Tops%20of%20Trees-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Photo Showing the Ground Scar and Main Wreckage (item 6, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40052249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Photo%20Showing%20the%20Ground%20Scar%20and%20%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Photo Showing the Main Wreckage From the Forward Side (item 7, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40052250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Photo%20Showing%20the%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20the%20Forward%20Side-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Photo Showing the Nose Gear and Engine Section Wreckage (item 8, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40052251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Photo%20Showing%20the%20Nose%20Gear%20and%20Engine%20Section%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 9, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Wreckage Diagram (item 10, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40052253&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 11, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Transcript of Radio Communications (item 12, .PDF, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Radio%20Communications-Master.PDF - FAA Accident Report (item 13, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Accident%20Report-Master.PDF - Record of Conversations (item 14, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 15, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 16, .PDF, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF 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.