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NTSB Report
August 17, 1985 · Mooney M20C · N5844Q
Columbus, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Columbus, GA
Aircraft
Mooney M20C
Tail Number
N5844Q
Operator
Paul L Tappin
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85FA252
ACFT DEPARTED AIRPORT AFTER ENROUTE STOP FOR FUELING.VFR CONDITIONS WITH BROKEN CLOUDS AT 2800 FEET AND TURBULENCE IN CLOUDS.ACFT WAS CLEARED TO 4500 AND PIC ASKED TO REPORT REACHING.DURING CLIMB PIC WAS ASKED HIS ALTITUDE.HIS RESPONSE WAS UNINTELLIGIBLE FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF RADAR CONTACT.A WITNESS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ADJACENT TO THE CRASH SITE WATCHED AN AIRPLANE SPIN OUT OF THE SKY AT ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE CRASH SITE UNTIL IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND TREES.ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.
Full Narrative
ACFT DEPARTED AIRPORT AFTER ENROUTE STOP FOR FUELING.VFR CONDITIONS WITH BROKEN CLOUDS AT 2800 FEET AND TURBULENCE IN CLOUDS.ACFT WAS CLEARED TO 4500 AND PIC ASKED TO REPORT REACHING.DURING CLIMB PIC WAS ASKED HIS ALTITUDE.HIS RESPONSE WAS UNINTELLIGIBLE FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF RADAR CONTACT.A WITNESS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ADJACENT TO THE CRASH SITE WATCHED AN AIRPLANE SPIN OUT OF THE SKY AT ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE CRASH SITE UNTIL IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND TREES.ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:33 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20C
Tail NumberN5844Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPaul L Tappin
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-AD · Reciprocating · 100
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:49
Weather SourceWFAC