# NTSB MIA87FA056: Cessna 172N, N739SV, Middleburg, FL, December 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1986, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Middleburg, FL
- Coordinates: 30.050168, -81.900276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0502&lon=-81.9003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS RECEIVING FLT FOLLOWING SERVICES FROM JACKSONVILLE APCH CONTROL. RADAR AND RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT REPORTED TO APCH CONTROL HE WAS DESCENDING OUT OF 4,500 FT IN PREPARATION FOR HIS LANDING AT ST. AUGUSTINE, FL. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE COULD HEAR THE ACFT FLYING LOW AND THAT THE ENG WAS RUNNING AT A STEADY CRUISING SPEED UNTIL HE HEARD THE ACFT IMPACT THE GROUND. THE WEATHER IN THE JACKSONVILLE AREA WAS INSTUMENT FLT CONDITIONS. THE PLT HELD A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATE WHICH HAD EXPIRED 1 YEAR AND 10 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N739SV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270777
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alec O. Maitland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1986
- Departed: 1JO, BONIFAY, FL
- Destination: SGJ, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 60 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NZC, 11 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 19861222086079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861222086079A), Dec 22, 1986: Cessna 172N, Middleburg, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft impacted ground in a vertical dive. Student flying at night, near thunderstorms. Uncaged animals onboard.

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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