# NTSB ATL81FA024: Piper PA-30, N99EJ, Sunbright, TN, December 2, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 2, 1980
- Place: Sunbright, TN · SUNBRIGHT, TN
- Location: 36.2427° N, 84.6799° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sunbright, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2427&lon=-84.6799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128081
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA024

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3603   80/12/2   SUNBRIGHT,TN        PIPER PA-30         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 58, 5092
        TIME - 1315                    N99EJ               PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 1765 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FAYETTEVILLE,TN             LONDON,KY
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY RADIO
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  400
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       55
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          240                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLT REFUSED IFR CLRNC AT HIGHER ALT DUE POSSIBILITY ICE.ENRTE MEA 5000FT.HIT MTN 2600FT MSL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99EJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99EJ-2009-09-17), registration cancelled 2009-09-17, S/N 30-316, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19801202071049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801202071049A), Dec 2, 1980: Piper PA30, Sunbright, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control of aircraft in mountain area with rain, fog, severe turbulence. Was advised to delay flight.

## Other investigations on N99EJ (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 MIA74FKG55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74FKG55), Mar 5, 1974: Piper PA-30 (N99EJ), Atlanta, GA, substantial damage

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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