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NTSB Report
July 13, 1987 · Cessna 152 · N4869B
Yanceyville, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Yanceyville, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N4869B
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87FA209
THE PLT WAS ENGAGED IN LOW ALT COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. WITNESSES HAD OBSERVED THE ACFT OPERATING AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE IN THE AREA FOR THE PAST TWO OR THREE DAYS. THE WITNESS CLOSEST TO THE CRASH SITE RELATED THAT THE ACFT WOULD MAKE A STRAIGHT PASS NEAR A HOMESITE, ADD POWER, START A CLIMBING TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND WHEN ESTABLISHED STRAIGHT AND LEVEL AGAIN, DECREASE POWER. ON THE LAST PASS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE ACFT ENTERED A CLIMBING TURN TO THE LEFT AND THE NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO DROP AND THE ACFT DISAPPEARED BEHIND A TREE LINE WHICH WAS BETWEEN TWO OPEN FIELDS. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BY ANOTHER WITNESS ABOUT 20 MINS LATER. THE PHOTO OPERATION WAS CONDUCTED SOLO WITH THE PILOT ATTEMPTING TO FLY THE ACFT FROM THE RIGHT SEAT WHILE ALSO DOING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A 35 MM CAMERA, ALL AT A LOW ALTITUDE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS ENGAGED IN LOW ALT COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. WITNESSES HAD OBSERVED THE ACFT OPERATING AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE IN THE AREA FOR THE PAST TWO OR THREE DAYS. THE WITNESS CLOSEST TO THE CRASH SITE RELATED THAT THE ACFT WOULD MAKE A STRAIGHT PASS NEAR A HOMESITE, ADD POWER, START A CLIMBING TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND WHEN ESTABLISHED STRAIGHT AND LEVEL AGAIN, DECREASE POWER. ON THE LAST PASS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE ACFT ENTERED A CLIMBING TURN TO THE LEFT AND THE NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO DROP AND THE ACFT DISAPPEARED BEHIND A TREE LINE WHICH WAS BETWEEN TWO OPEN FIELDS. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BY ANOTHER WITNESS ABOUT 20 MINS LATER. THE PHOTO OPERATION WAS CONDUCTED SOLO WITH THE PILOT ATTEMPTING TO FLY THE ACFT FROM THE RIGHT SEAT WHILE ALSO DOING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A 35 MM CAMERA, ALL AT A LOW ALTITUDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN4869B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 118
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC