# NTSB MIA85FA227: Cessna 172RG, N6419R, Cedar Key, FL, August 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1985, 21:50 local (Aug 10, 1985, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Key, FL
- Coordinates: 29.140754, -83.029716 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1408&lon=-83.0297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31253
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31253/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA227

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE MANAGER OF THE DESTINATION ARPT SAID THE PLT HAD CALLED EARLIER IN THE EVENING & HAD ASKED TO BE PICKED UP AT THE ARPT. THE PLT SAID THAT HE WOULD FLY OVER THE MANAGER'S HOUSE AFTER HE ARRIVED. THE MANAGER HEARD THE ACFT FLY OVER FROM EAST TO WEST. REPORTEDLY, THE ENG WAS RUNNING NORMALLY UNTIL THE ACFT CRASHED IN THE OPEN SEA APRX 1-1/2 MI WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE ARPT. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED & THE PASSENGER'S BODY WAS FOUND AT ABOUT 0030 EDT. THE PLT'S BODY WAS NOT FOUND UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AT APRX 1330. THE ACFT WAS FOUND & RETRIEVED FROM WHERE IT CRASHED IN ABOUT 15 FT OF SEA WATER. IT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT. THE ENG HAD SEPARATED FROM THE FIREWALL. THE PROP BLADES WERE TWISTED & BENT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF ROTATION. THE RIGHT WING WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE FUSELAGE & THE LEADING EDGE WAS CRUSHED CHORDWISE. THE LEFT WING WAS BROKEN & DISTORTED. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & URINE SHOWED ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.157% & 0.188%, RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6419R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6419R-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 172RG0181 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RGO810
- Airframe hours: 1569
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lakeland Aviation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1985, 81 hours before
- Departed: LAL, LAKELAND, FL
- Destination: CDK
- Airport: CDK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 127 total, 11 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 53 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 19850809037759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850809037759A), Aug 9, 1985: Cessna 172RG, Cedar Key, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Overflew airport to alert taxi driver. Impacted gulf waters while circling at night. Flying while intoxicated.

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.