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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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November 17, 1985 · Cessna 172N · N738PL

Mt Carmel, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 minor injury)
Location
Mt Carmel, IL
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N738PL
Operator
Frank J Altadonna
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA029

ACCORDING TO THE SURVIVOR, THE PLT & 2 PAX ALL HAD A BEER, THEN WENT TO THE ARPT. AFTER TAKING OFF AT NIGHT, THE PLT FLEW OVER MT CARMEL, THEN FLEW TOWARD HIS HOME. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A LOW PASS OVER HIS HOUSE. DURING THE PASS, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE & SOME UTILITY WIRES, THEN CRASHED. TOXICOLOGY TESTS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & URINE SHOWED ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.025% & 0.056%, RESPECTIVELY.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO THE SURVIVOR, THE PLT & 2 PAX ALL HAD A BEER, THEN WENT TO THE ARPT. AFTER TAKING OFF AT NIGHT, THE PLT FLEW OVER MT CARMEL, THEN FLEW TOWARD HIS HOME. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A LOW PASS OVER HIS HOUSE. DURING THE PASS, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE & SOME UTILITY WIRES, THEN CRASHED. TOXICOLOGY TESTS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & URINE SHOWED ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.025% & 0.056%, RESPECTIVELY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:03 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN738PL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFrank J Altadonna
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 minor injury)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data