# NTSB ATL81FA016: Piper PA-28, N8227C, Hopkinsville, KY, November 5, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 5, 1981
- Place: Hopkinsville, KY · HOPKINSVILLE, KY
- Location: 36.8656° N, 87.4886° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hopkinsville, KY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8656&lon=-87.4886&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 18, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA016
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA016-123776

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2079   81/11/5   HOPKINSVILLE,KY     PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 53, 832
        TIME - 1930                    N8227C              PX-  1  2  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 412 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CHRISTIAN COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HOPKINSVILLE,KY             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEAT BELT NOT FASTENED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        REMARKS- BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL .16PCT.DARK NGT.NONE OF THE SEAT BELTS WERE FASTENED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8227C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8227C-1984-10-25), registration cancelled 1984-10-25, S/N 28-7625089 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Christian County

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19811105087099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811105087099A), Nov 5, 1981: Piper PA28140, Hopkinsville, KY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed 3/4 mile from end of runway. No fuel in tanks.

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.

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