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NTSB Report
September 25, 1986 · Cessna A-37A · N3757Z
Yantley, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Yantley, AL
Aircraft
Cessna A-37A
Tail Number
N3757Z
Operator
Thunderbird Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA265
THE PLT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE ACFT WHICH HAD AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE. DURING A PREFLT WX BRIEFING, HE WAS ADVISED OF TOWERING CUMULUS CLOUDS ALONG HIS ROUTE. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE INITIATED A CLIMB TO FL 240 & LEVELED OFF APRX 10 MIN LATER. AFTER ANOTHER 7 MIN, THE PLT TRANSMITTED 'N3757Z, I'M IN TROUBLE!' SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WERE LOST. A MILITARY ACFT WAS DIVERTED TO THE AREA & THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. FLT CREWS OF OTHER ACFT RPRTD THERE WAS HEAVY WX ACTIVITY IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACDNT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE ACFT WHICH HAD AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE. DURING A PREFLT WX BRIEFING, HE WAS ADVISED OF TOWERING CUMULUS CLOUDS ALONG HIS ROUTE. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE INITIATED A CLIMB TO FL 240 & LEVELED OFF APRX 10 MIN LATER. AFTER ANOTHER 7 MIN, THE PLT TRANSMITTED 'N3757Z, I'M IN TROUBLE!' SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WERE LOST. A MILITARY ACFT WAS DIVERTED TO THE AREA & THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. FLT CREWS OF OTHER ACFT RPRTD THERE WAS HEAVY WX ACTIVITY IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACDNT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A-37A
Tail NumberN3757Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorThunderbird Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsGe · J-85-GE-5A · Turbojet · 2850
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC