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NTSB Report
May 31, 1986 · Cessna 120 · N76730
Magnolia, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Magnolia, KY
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N76730
Operator
Phillip B Johnson
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA151
THE PLT WAS USING THE ACFT TO DROP A TOOL TO A MECHANIC FRIEND AND WAS FLYING AT LOW ALT TOWARD RISING TERRAIN TO VERIFY THE LOCATION WHERE THE TOOL FELL. WITNESSES SAID THAT WHEN THE PLT EXITED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE STATED HE WAS TOO LOW, TOO SLOW, AND THE ENG 'STALLED'. PHOTOS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOW THE THROTTLE FULLY RETARDED AND BENT DOWN 90 DEGREES. PHOTOS OF THE ACFT INDICATE LITTLE FORWARD VELOCITY AND EVIDENCE OF A NEAR VERTICAL IMPACT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT REMEMBER DETAILS AND THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS USING THE ACFT TO DROP A TOOL TO A MECHANIC FRIEND AND WAS FLYING AT LOW ALT TOWARD RISING TERRAIN TO VERIFY THE LOCATION WHERE THE TOOL FELL. WITNESSES SAID THAT WHEN THE PLT EXITED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE STATED HE WAS TOO LOW, TOO SLOW, AND THE ENG 'STALLED'. PHOTOS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOW THE THROTTLE FULLY RETARDED AND BENT DOWN 90 DEGREES. PHOTOS OF THE ACFT INDICATE LITTLE FORWARD VELOCITY AND EVIDENCE OF A NEAR VERTICAL IMPACT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT REMEMBER DETAILS AND THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN76730
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhillip B Johnson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 2 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC