# NTSB ATL81FA097: Piper PA-28R, N8348C, Sweetwater, TN, July 17, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 17, 1981
- Place: Sweetwater, TN · SWEETWATER, TN
- Location: 35.6026° N, 84.4734° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sweetwater, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6026&lon=-84.4734&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA097
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA097

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1880  81/7/17    SWEETWATER,TN       PIPER PA-28R        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 34, 77 TOTAL
        TIME - 0920                    N8348C              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MONROE COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CROSSVILLE,TN               MADISONVILLE,TN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        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 - FOG
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                           NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       76
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          320                                                       4
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8348C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8348C-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 28R-7635150, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Monroe 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 19810717042609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810717042609A), Jul 17, 1981: Piper PA28R200, Sweetwater, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR pilot flew into trees in hilly terrain approaching destinatin. Low ceiling and visibility. No weather brief.

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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