# NTSB ATL82FA055: Piper PA-31T2, N2517X, Springfield, KY, February 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1982, 20:19 local (Feb 17, 1982, 01:19 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, KY
- Coordinates: 37.680046, -85.220375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6800&lon=-85.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA055

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altimeter setting - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS CLEARED TO MAINTAIN 3,000 FT MSL UNTIL OVER THE ARPT, THEN CRUISE. THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY STATED THAT HE COULD SEE THE LIGHTS ON THE GROUND & THAT HE WAS 15 MI FROM THE ARPT. AT 2013 THE PLT STATED "WE OUGHTA BE ABLE TO CANCEL HERE." THE ACFT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 6 MI FROM THE ARPT. THE ARPT OPERATOR HEARD AN ACFT LOW OVERHEAD & WAS ABLETO SEE STARS. OTHER GROUND WITNESSES CLOSER TO THE POINT OF IMPACT OBSERVED VERY THICK PATCHY FOG WITH VISIBILITY ABOUT 200 FT. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT NAVIGATION LIGHTS DO SOME UNUSUAL MANEUVERING, WHILE ANOTHER WITNESS SAW THE LIGHTS VERY LOW. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING LOW, NEAR LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE WAS CO-LOCATED WITH AN APPROXIMATE DOWNWIND TO BASE LEG TURN. THERE IS A SINGLE VOR/DME APCH TO RWY 11. THE MDA IS 1,260 FT & REQUIRES A MINIMUM VISIBILITY OF 1 MI. THE CIRCLING APCH HAS AN MDA OF 1,420 FT & ALSO REQUIRES A MINIMUM VISIBILITY OF 1 MI. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED AN ALTIMETER SETTING OF 29.77. THE ACFT'S ALTIMETER WAS SET BETWEEN 30.29 & 30.30.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2517X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2517X-1990-08-23), registration cancelled 1990-08-23, S/N 31T8166004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T2
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T2](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t2) (registry code 7103127) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21T-8166004
- Airframe hours: 140
- Engines: P&W PT6A-135 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gnc Energy Corp.
- Registered owner: Gnc Energy Corp.
- Departed: MOBILE, AL
- Destination: SPRINGFIELD, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 6I2, Lebanon-Springfield, runway 11, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft broken

## 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 19820216052389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820216052389A), Feb 16, 1982: Piper PA31T2, Springfield, KY, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Flew into ground attempting night visual landing in weather below minima. Altimeter setting incorrect.

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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