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NTSB Report
October 18, 1988 · Cessna 177A · N30470
La Follette, TN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
La Follette, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 177A
Tail Number
N30470
Operator
David L Oakley
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89FA015
THE PLT DEPARTED KNOXVILLE IN VFR CONDS. THERE WAS AN AREA OF IFR WX TO THE NORTH & NORTHWEST OF KNOXVILLE. THE WX WAS FORECAST TO BE MARGINAL ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLT. THE PLT RPRTD HE WANTED TO DEPART KNOXVILLE ON A HEADING OF 360 DEG & WOULD BE AT 2500'. THE MAX ELEV FOR THE SECTOR JUST NORTH OF KNOXVILLE WAS 3900'. THE 1349 EDT WX AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT (MCGHEE TYSON, ELEV 981') WAS 1900' OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 10 MI WITH RAIN & FOG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEV OF 2350', APRX 27 MI NORTH OF MCGHEE TYSON. WITNESSES NEAR THE CRASH SITE INDICATED THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, FOG & RAIN.
Full Narrative
THE PLT DEPARTED KNOXVILLE IN VFR CONDS. THERE WAS AN AREA OF IFR WX TO THE NORTH & NORTHWEST OF KNOXVILLE. THE WX WAS FORECAST TO BE MARGINAL ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLT. THE PLT RPRTD HE WANTED TO DEPART KNOXVILLE ON A HEADING OF 360 DEG & WOULD BE AT 2500'. THE MAX ELEV FOR THE SECTOR JUST NORTH OF KNOXVILLE WAS 3900'. THE 1349 EDT WX AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT (MCGHEE TYSON, ELEV 981') WAS 1900' OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 10 MI WITH RAIN & FOG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEV OF 2350', APRX 27 MI NORTH OF MCGHEE TYSON. WITNESSES NEAR THE CRASH SITE INDICATED THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, FOG & RAIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 177A
Tail NumberN30470
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDavid L Oakley
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A2F · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 14 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:49
Weather SourceWFAC