Cessna 150 accident near Alma, Georgia, April 19, 1985
On April 19, 1985 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Cessna 150, registered N4483U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Alma, Georgia (Alma airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 19, 1985 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Alma, Georgia · Alma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N4483U · no longer on the register · serial 150-60483
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT AND PASSENGER CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL JUST PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING THE TAKEOFF. THE OIL WAS DRAINED ON THE GROUND ON THE AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED. EXAMINATION OF THE OIL, DISCLOSED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE PRESENT IN THE DRAINED OIL. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DISCLOSED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE ALSO PRESENT INSIDE THE ENGINE WHEN IT WAS DISASSEMBLED. THE EXAMINATION ALSO FOUND RUST IN THE CYLINDER WALLS ALONG WITH THE FRACTURED RINGS FROM NUMBERS 2 AND 3 PISTONS. THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OR RECENT MAINTENANCE DATA WAS NOT DETERMINED.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 57 hours in all; 57 in this make and model; 40 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,276 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:52 pm from AMG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.