# NTSB NYC87FA023: Cessna R172K, N7526V, Rockwood, TN, October 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1986, 20:20 local (Oct 20, 1986, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Rockwood, TN
- Coordinates: 35.860126, -84.687836 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8601&lon=-84.6878&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED DEPARTING AT APPROX 2010 HOURS, REVERSING COURSE AND FLYING OVER THE AIRPORT AT 300-400 FT AGL. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED 3/4 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT IN UNPOPULATED, MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 1560 FEET, WHICH IS 104 FEET LOWER THAN THE AIRPORT ELEVATION. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND APPROX 2 DAYS LATER. THE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS NO FIRE. RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE PILOT HAD 6.1 HOURS OF NIGHT TIME, WITH LAST NIGHT FLIGHT BEING 23 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. A TOTAL OF 155 HOURS FLYING TIME WAS ACCUMULATED OVER A 9 YEAR AND 2 MONTH PERIOD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRCRAFT OR RELATED EQUIPMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7526V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7526V-1988-08-25), registration cancelled 1988-08-25, S/N R1722308 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1722308
- Airframe hours: 2756
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: E. Tennessee Pilots Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 3, 1986, 25 hours before
- Destination: COX, MARYVILLE, TN
- Airport: RKW, Rockwood, runway 4, 5,000 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 165 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19861019071529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861019071529A), Oct 19, 1986: Cessna R172K, Rockwood, TN, Destroyed. The aircraft hit trees at night shortly after takeoff. Pilot may have been tired, had no recent night experience.

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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