# NTSB ATL82DA088: Piper PA-24-250, N9LT, Macon, GA, March 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1982, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Macon, GA
- Coordinates: 32.79951, -83.620719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7995&lon=-83.6207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA088

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, missed approach (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - decision height - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - missed approach - initiated, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT REPORTED DEPARTING FT LAUDERDALE, FL WITH 4 HRS OF FUEL ON BOARD ON A 40 MINUTE FLIGHT TO OKEECHOBEE, FL.  THE NEXT DAY, HE DEPARTED OKEECHOBEE WITHOUT REFUELING ON A FLIGHT TO MACON, GA.  HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD TO CLIMB TO 10,500 FT TO AVOID CLOUDS AND MAINTAIN VFR.  WHILE EN ROUTE, HE FOUND HIMSELF OVER A CLOUD LAYER.  WITH 40 HOURS OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, HE ELECTED TO DESCEND AND LAND AT MACON.  THE PILOT WAS VECTORED AND CLEARED FOR AN ILS APPROACH.  APPROACH CONTROL NOTED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT DESCEND BELOW 1600 FT AS HE APPROACHED AND OVERFLEW THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 354 FT. HE INITIATED A MISSED APPROACH, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, REPORTED THAT HE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL.  HE WAS VECTORED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RUNWAY.  ABOUT THREE HOURS AND 5 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLANE STRUCK WIRES AS THE PILOT WAS LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD.  AFTER HITTING THE WIRES, HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL UNTIL AFTER TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9LT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9LT-1983-11-23), registration cancelled 1983-11-23, S/N 24-3203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24 3203
- Airframe hours: 3056
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry E. Thayer
- Registered owner: Larry E. Thayer
- Departed: OBE, OKEECHOBEE, FL
- Destination: L69, DEATH VALLEY, CA
- Airport: MCN, Lewis B. Wilson

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 435 total, 344 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 117 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN

## 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 19820329006509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820329006509A), Mar 29, 1982: Piper PA24250, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. VFR pilot low on fuel was too high to land after ILS approach. Ran out of fuel on goaround, hit wires on landing.

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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