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NTSB Report

August 5, 1985 · Cessna 172A · N7279T

Glencoe, KY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Glencoe, KY
Aircraft
Cessna 172A
Tail Number
N7279T
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL85FA237

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A FIELD NEXT TO WHERE A FRIEND OF THE PLT WAS BALING HAY. THE PLT HAD CALLED THE FRIEND EARLIER IN THE DAY & ASK THE FRIEND TO GO FLY WITH HIM. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACDNT, THE PLT FLEW OVER & CIRCLED A COUPLE OF TIMES AT LOW ALT. TWO WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT GO DOWN, BUT THEY COULD NOT BE FND LATER FOR INTERVIEW. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED IT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT OF THE ACFT AFTER IMPACT, BUT IT WAS RELATIVELY INTACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. A HAMILTON COUNTY BLOOD ANALYSIS SHOWED THE PLT HAD AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 20 MG% (0.02%), A COCAINE LVL OF 20 MG% & A DIAZEPAM (VALIUM) LVL OF 10 MG%. TOXICOLOGY TESTS AT THE FAA MEDICAL CENTER SHOWED THE ALCOHOL LVL OF THE PLT'S BLOOD WAS 0.035%, URINE WAS 0.038% & GASTRIC FLUID WAS 0.314%; HOWEVER, TESTS FOR DRUGS WERE NEGATIVE. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESSES.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A FIELD NEXT TO WHERE A FRIEND OF THE PLT WAS BALING HAY. THE PLT HAD CALLED THE FRIEND EARLIER IN THE DAY & ASK THE FRIEND TO GO FLY WITH HIM. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACDNT, THE PLT FLEW OVER & CIRCLED A COUPLE OF TIMES AT LOW ALT. TWO WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT GO DOWN, BUT THEY COULD NOT BE FND LATER FOR INTERVIEW. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED IT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT OF THE ACFT AFTER IMPACT, BUT IT WAS RELATIVELY INTACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. A HAMILTON COUNTY BLOOD ANALYSIS SHOWED THE PLT HAD AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 20 MG% (0.02%), A COCAINE LVL OF 20 MG% & A DIAZEPAM (VALIUM) LVL OF 10 MG%. TOXICOLOGY TESTS AT THE FAA MEDICAL CENTER SHOWED THE ALCOHOL LVL OF THE PLT'S BLOOD WAS 0.035%, URINE WAS 0.038% & GASTRIC FLUID WAS 0.314%; HOWEVER, TESTS FOR DRUGS WERE NEGATIVE. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESSES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172A
Tail NumberN7279T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 11 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data