# NTSB ATL81FA088: Piper PA-28R, N4512J, Beach, GA, July 4, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 4, 1981
- Place: Beach, GA · BEACH, GA
- Location: 31.4399° N, 82.5037° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Beach, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4399&lon=-82.5037&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA088
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA088

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1882   81/7/4    BEACH,GA            PIPER PA-28R        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, UNK/NR
        TIME - 0640                    N4512J              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          HINESVILLE,GA               THOMASTON,GA                 ALBANY,GA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - FOG
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                              UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          GROUND FOG                                               IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- CIRCLED FRIEND'S HOUSE,SIGNAL TO MEET AT ARPT.PATCHY GND FOG,VIS NR ZERO IN PLACES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4512J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4512J-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 28R-30369, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, 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 19810704037909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810704037909A), Jul 4, 1981: Piper PA28R180, Beach, GA, Destroyed. Aircraft hit tree and crashed while circling at low altitude to attract attention.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.