# NTSB ATL81FKG17: Piper PA-39, N8959Y, Macon, GA, April 28, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 28, 1981
- Place: Macon, GA · MACON, GA
- Location: 32.8407° N, 83.6324° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Macon, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8407&lon=-83.6324&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FKG17
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FKG17

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0708  81/4/28    MACON,GA            PIPER PA-39         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 46, 2033
        TIME - 0835                    N8959Y              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 323 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HERBERT SMART
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          STONE MOUNTAIN,GA           COCHRAN,GA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: CYLINDER ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- NO 4 CYL ON R ENG FAILED AT CYL HEAD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8959Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-39
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Herbert Smart

## 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 19810428020219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810428020219A), Apr 28, 1981: Piper PA39, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. Cylinder head separated on right engine. Overshot runway on single engine landing at nearest airport.

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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