# Accident 20131202024259A: Piper PA-46-310P, Dawsonville, GA, December 2, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 2, 2013, 19:15 local time
- Place: Dawsonville, GA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.4117° N, 84.0156° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4117&lon=-84.0156&mi=10
- Aircraft: N87NF, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87NF-2018-01-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-46-310P (registry code 7104605, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-520 series (registry code 17040, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P
- Reported engine: PRATT & WHITNEY PT6A-34
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,500 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA14FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA058) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131202024259A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT TOOK OFF FROM KMMU ENROUTE TO PDK.  IN THE AREA OF DAWSONVILLE, GA, PILOT DEVIATED FROM FLIGHT PLAN.  PILOT WAS CONTACTED BY ATC REGARDING DEVIATION FROM FLIGHT PLAN.  PILOT REPORTED AUTOPILOT PROBLEMS.  ATC INQUIRED IF PILOT COULD MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  PILOT REPORTED HE COULD.  THERE WAS NO FURTHER CONTACT WITH PILOT.  AIRCRAFT BROKE UP IN FLIGHT AND CRASHED.  PILOT WAS PROPERLY CERTIFICATED AND WAS FLYING WITH A THIRD CLASS MEDICAL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA14FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA058), Dec 3, 2013: Piper PA-46-310P (N87NF), Dawsonville, GA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s in-flight loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while operating in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s…

## Other reports on N87NF (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20090702010449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090702010449A), Jul 2, 2009: Piper PA46310P (N87NF), Providence, RI, Minor damage. (-23) Reported low fuel and was vectored for the ILS approach to runway 23 at pvd but was unable to land due to poor weather conditions. Pilot then circled to…
- [Accident 20000102008309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000102008309A), Jan 2, 2000: Piper PA46310P (N87NF), Corning, AR, No damage. (-23) No facts are available at this time. The engine is at pratt & whitney for inspection and test.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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