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NTSB Report
July 16, 1985 · Cessna 170A · N1223D
Olney, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Olney, IL
Aircraft
Cessna 170A
Tail Number
N1223D
Operator
Mertine Kuykendall
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85FA292
THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED NEW BADEN AND BEGAN FLYING ERRATICALLY DOWN AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. IT CAUSED ONE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT BY FLYING LOW HEAD-ON PASSES AT CARS. IT FLEW UNDERAN OVERPASS, DAMAGING A WINGTIP IN THE PROCESS. IT FLEW INTOAN ELECTRICAL CABLE AND DAMAGED THE VERTICAL STABILIZED IN THE PROCESS. THE PILOT BUZZED A TRUCK. MADE TWO SHARP TURNS AT LOW ALTITUDE. DURING THE SECOND TURN THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP 190 FEET LATER. THE PILOT WAS EJECTED FROM THE COCKPIT AND LATERDIED. HIS SEAT BELT WAS NOT FASTENED DURING THE CRASH. AFTERTHE CRASH HIS FAMILY DESCRIBED HIM AS A PARANOID PSYCHOTIC AND HIS FRIENDS STATED THAT HE WAS DEPRESSED. IN A FINAL INTERVIEW BEFORE HE DIED HE REPEATEDLY MENTIONED ANIMOSITY TOWARD GRAVEL TRUCKS.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED NEW BADEN AND BEGAN FLYING ERRATICALLY DOWN AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. IT CAUSED ONE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT BY FLYING LOW HEAD-ON PASSES AT CARS. IT FLEW UNDERAN OVERPASS, DAMAGING A WINGTIP IN THE PROCESS. IT FLEW INTOAN ELECTRICAL CABLE AND DAMAGED THE VERTICAL STABILIZED IN THE PROCESS. THE PILOT BUZZED A TRUCK. MADE TWO SHARP TURNS AT LOW ALTITUDE. DURING THE SECOND TURN THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP 190 FEET LATER. THE PILOT WAS EJECTED FROM THE COCKPIT AND LATERDIED. HIS SEAT BELT WAS NOT FASTENED DURING THE CRASH. AFTERTHE CRASH HIS FAMILY DESCRIBED HIM AS A PARANOID PSYCHOTIC AND HIS FRIENDS STATED THAT HE WAS DEPRESSED. IN A FINAL INTERVIEW BEFORE HE DIED HE REPEATEDLY MENTIONED ANIMOSITY TOWARD GRAVEL TRUCKS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:56 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 170A
Tail NumberN1223D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMertine Kuykendall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-145-2 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:55
Weather SourceWFAC