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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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April 6, 1984 · Cessna 182Q · N96578

Nw.Of Abingdon, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Nw.Of Abingdon, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 182Q
Tail Number
N96578
Operator
Robert M Elswick Iii
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL84FA141

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN AT THE 4000 FT LEVEL ABOUT 100 FT BELOW THE CREST EN ROUTE TO CHATTANOOGA, TN. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED A PRE-FLT TELEPHONIC BRIEFING THAT WAS CONSIDERED CURRENT AND APPROPRIATE FOR THE FLT WITHOUT ANY SPECIAL REMARKS. AT DEPARTURE THE RICHLANDS ARPT MANAGER SAID THE WEATHER WAS OVERCAST WITH STRONG WINDS AND LIGHT RAIN. THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 2 MILES. THERE WERE NO KNOWN RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ACFT AFTER DEPARTURE. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE CRASH AND RADAR WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE A RADAR TRACK FROM STORED INFO FOR THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAININTERFERED. THE ACFT CRASHED IN LEVEL POWERED FLT. THE PLT HAD LIMITED TOTAL TIME AND WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN AT THE 4000 FT LEVEL ABOUT 100 FT BELOW THE CREST EN ROUTE TO CHATTANOOGA, TN. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED A PRE-FLT TELEPHONIC BRIEFING THAT WAS CONSIDERED CURRENT AND APPROPRIATE FOR THE FLT WITHOUT ANY SPECIAL REMARKS. AT DEPARTURE THE RICHLANDS ARPT MANAGER SAID THE WEATHER WAS OVERCAST WITH STRONG WINDS AND LIGHT RAIN. THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 2 MILES. THERE WERE NO KNOWN RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ACFT AFTER DEPARTURE. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE CRASH AND RADAR WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE A RADAR TRACK FROM STORED INFO FOR THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAININTERFERED. THE ACFT CRASHED IN LEVEL POWERED FLT. THE PLT HAD LIMITED TOTAL TIME AND WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:50 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182Q
Tail NumberN96578
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert M Elswick Iii
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-U · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:49
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data