# NTSB ATL82DA177: Piper PA-22-150, N2604P, Hixson, TN, June 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1982, 22:52 local (Jun 27, 1982, 02:52 UTC)
- Place: Hixson, TN
- Coordinates: 35.160282, -85.200759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1603&lon=-85.2008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71037/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA177

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF ON A DARK NIGHT WITHOUT RUNWAY LIGHTS. HE STATED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME SINCE THE OPERATOR WAS OUT OF TOWN. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND OTHER WITNESSES, AT LEAST PART OF THE AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT WAS ILLUMINATED BY THE LIGHTS NEAR THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 23. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE CLIMBED STRAIGHT AHEAD TO 400 FT AGL AFTER TAKING OFF FROM RUNWAY 23. REPORTEDLY AT THAT ALTITUDE, HE TURNED RIGHT, THEN BACK LEFT, INTENDING TO LAND ON RUNWAY 05. HE SAID THAT HE TURNED TO WHERE HE EXPECTED TO FIND THE RUNWAY AND BEGAN HIS DESCENT. THE LANDING LIGHT WAS NOT AS BRIGHT AS HE ANTICIPATED, THE VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED SLIGHTLY BY HAZE, AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF THE BALL PARK MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT MANY OF THE BALL PARK LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF CAUSING A BLACK AREA WHICH WAS DISORIENTING. WHILE DESCENDING TO RUNWAY 05,THE PLANE STRUCK A TREETOP AND CAME TO REST IN A WOODED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2604P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2604P-1984-02-13), registration cancelled 1984-02-13, S/N 22-2937 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-2937
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James G. Godsey
- Registered owner: Michael B. Smith
- Departed: 1A0, HIXSON, TN
- Destination: 1A0, HIXSON, TN
- Airport: 1A0, Dallas Bay Sky Park, runway 5, 3,025 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,000 total, 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 162 °F

## 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 19820626025569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820626025569A), Jun 26, 1982: Piper PA22150, Hixson, TN, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed into trees short of runway during attempted landing at night on unlighted runway.

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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