# NTSB ATL81FA029: Piper PA-24, N8647P, Newport News, VA, December 14, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 14, 1980
- Place: Newport News, VA · NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Location: 36.9788° N, 76.4280° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newport News, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9788&lon=-76.4280&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA029
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA029

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3585  80/12/14   NEWPORT NEWS,VA     PIPER PA-24         CR-  2  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1617                    N8647P              PX-  2  0  0  DUAL                      35, 4565 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PATRICK HENRY INT
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          PORTSMOUTH,VA               RETURN                       NEWPORT NEWS,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: SUBSTANDARD QUALITY CONTROL
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: SELECTOR VALVES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOOSE,PART/FITTING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FLASHING IN HOOF MODEL A73V SELECTOR VALVE LODGED IN EXIT PORT.ACFT STRUCK UNMARKED STATIC WIRE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8647P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8647P-1983-05-21), registration cancelled 1983-05-21, S/N 24-4090 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Patrick Henry Int

## 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 19801214075949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801214075949A), Dec 14, 1980: Piper PA24260, Newport News, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine quit turning base. Airplane struck power-lines over reservoir on forced descent. Metal chip in fuel valve.

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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