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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 24, 1985 · Cessna 120 · N1812V

Afton, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Afton, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N1812V
Operator
Robert a Gosnell
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO85FA070

THE PLT AND HIS WIFE DEPARTED WAYNESBORO ARPT IN REPORTED VFR WX CONDITIONS AT APRX 1700 HRS. ACCORDING TO THE ASSISTANTARPT MGR THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 2500 FT HOWEVER, THE MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED IN THE DIRECTION THE ACFT FLEW TOWARDS. AT ABOUT 1710 HRS THE PLT RADIOED BACK ON UMICOM THAT HE HADCROSSED THE MOUNTAIN AND WAS GOING HOME. ABOUT 45 SECONDS LATER, HE WAS HEARD TO SAY THAT HE 'HAD HIT SCUDD'. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND AT 2100 FT. AN ANALYSIS OF THE WX DONE BY AN NTSB METEOROLOGIST INDICATED THAT CLOUD BASES AT THE TIME AND IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT WERE NEAR 2000 FT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT AND HIS WIFE DEPARTED WAYNESBORO ARPT IN REPORTED VFR WX CONDITIONS AT APRX 1700 HRS. ACCORDING TO THE ASSISTANTARPT MGR THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 2500 FT HOWEVER, THE MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED IN THE DIRECTION THE ACFT FLEW TOWARDS. AT ABOUT 1710 HRS THE PLT RADIOED BACK ON UMICOM THAT HE HADCROSSED THE MOUNTAIN AND WAS GOING HOME. ABOUT 45 SECONDS LATER, HE WAS HEARD TO SAY THAT HE 'HAD HIT SCUDD'. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND AT 2100 FT. AN ANALYSIS OF THE WX DONE BY AN NTSB METEOROLOGIST INDICATED THAT CLOUD BASES AT THE TIME AND IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT WERE NEAR 2000 FT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest AirportWaynesboro (7nm SE)
Runway23
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN1812V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert a Gosnell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12-F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data