# NTSB MIA85FA235: Cessna 172M, N22198, St. Thomas, August 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1985, 13:32 local (17:32 UTC)
- Place: St. Thomas
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA235

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS FLYING SLOW AT APRX 200 FT ALT PHOTOGRAPHING A GROUP OF SAIL BOATS. AS THE PLT ENTERED A LEFT TURN TO REVERSE COURSE, IT STALLED AND NOSED DOWN STRIKING THE WATER IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE ACFT WAS APRX 35 LBS OVER THE MAX ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT FOR THE ACFT AND CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22198](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22198-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 17264057, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264057
- Airframe hours: 3356
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Allen E. Kelly, doing business as Paradise Air Service
- Registered owner: Cleophas U. Hodge Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1985, 70 hours before
- Departed: STT, ST. THOMAS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,150 total, 720 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STT, 10 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 19850819039479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850819039479A), Aug 19, 1985: Cessna 172M, St Thomas, VI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Entered a steep turn at low airspeed and altitude. Over gross weight aircraft stalled, impacted water and sank.

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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