# NTSB FTW86FA046: Cessna 120, N77483, Whitefield, OK, March 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1986, 17:13 local (23:13 UTC)
- Place: Whitefield, OK
- Coordinates: 35.250652, -95.229736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2507&lon=-95.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21888
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21888/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING AT VERY LOW ALTITUDE WHILE CIRCLING THE AREA AND MOST PROBABLY DID NOT SEE THE POWERLINE, DUE TO SUNGLARE, UNTIL AT VERY CLOSE RANGE. HE THEN PULLED UP STEEPLY IN THE STRONG AND GUSTY HEADWIND AND STALLED THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER BEFORE GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77483](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77483-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 11927 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11927
- Airframe hours: 2065
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Mckenzie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: F48, STIGLER, OK
- Destination: H45, SEMINOLE, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 235° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860322007309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860322007309A), Mar 22, 1986: Cessna 120, Whitefield, OK, Destroyed. Circled rock quarry at a low altitude. Pulled up sharply to avoid powerlines. Obscured by sun. Stalled, hit ground.

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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