# NTSB SEA85FA082: Cessna 172B, N6923X, Smith, NV, April 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1985, 16:55 local (Apr 3, 1985, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Smith, NV
- Coordinates: 38.799236, -119.319496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7992&lon=-119.3195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40036/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA082

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT MADE MULTIPLE PASSES OVER HIS RESIDENCE AT LOW ALT. THE WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT IN VARIOUS MANEUVERS AT LOW ALT. ONE MANEUVER WAS DESCRIBED AS A PULL-UP FROM ABOUT 100 FT TO APRX 600 FT, WHERE THE ACFT WENT INTO A WINGOVER OR HAMMERHEAD STALL. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, SLIGHTLY LEFT BANK ATTITUDE WHILE ON A HEADING OF 125 DEGS. INITIAL GROUND IMPACT WAS APRX 94 FT EAST OF A SET OF POWER LINES. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6923X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6923X-1988-12-21), registration cancelled 1988-12-21, S/N 17247823 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17247823
- Airframe hours: 2777
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leonard Fletcher Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 1984
- Departed: 3Q4, WELLINGTON, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 566 in this make and model, 545 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 29 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 19850402009899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850402009899A), Apr 2, 1985: Cessna 172B, Smith, NV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Was seen doing low level aerobatics and buzzing just before crash. Impacted ground at steep angle.

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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