# NTSB SEA86FA248: Cessna 172, N5481J, Overton, NV, September 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1986, 00:20 local (08:20 UTC)
- Place: Overton, NV
- Coordinates: 36.389049, -114.37078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3890&lon=-114.3708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40306/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA248

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE UNICOM OPERATOR AT BOULDER CITY MADE RADIO CONTACT WITH '81J' AT ABOUT 2300 PDT, AFTER HEARING AN ACFT MANEUVERING IN THE AREA. THE PLT STATED HE DID NOT PLAN TO LND AT BOULDER CITY, BUT SAID HE INTENDED TO FLY 'UP THE VEGAS WASH' AREA. AT APRX 2300 TO 2400, WITNESSES NOTED A LOW FLYING ACFT THAT WAS 'BUZZING' A BOAT, CAMPERS & VEHICLES IN THE AREA OF VEGAS WASH & THE OVERTON ARM OF LAKE MEAD. AT ABOUT 1000 THE NEXT DAY, THE WRECKAGE WAS SIGHTED ABOUT 150 FT BELOW THE CREST OF A 1622 FT MTN, EAST OF THE OVERTON ARM. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S & PASSENGER'S BLOOD SHOWED ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.18 & 0.14 MG% (0.18% & 0.14%), RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5481J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273808
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fred R. Laplante, doing business as F-L Interiors, Inc.
- Registered owner: F & L Home Improvement
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1986, 4 hours before
- Departed: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total, 100 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 44 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 19860920045509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860920045509A), Sep 20, 1986: Cessna 172N, Overton, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft struck rapidly rising terrain while operating at a low altitude. Pilot had been drinking.

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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