# NTSB ATL82FA066: Piper PA-32-260, N38540, Bradley, SC, February 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1982, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Bradley, SC
- Coordinates: 34.039188, -82.210655 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0392&lon=-82.2107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA066

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PILOT TELEPHONED HIS BROTHER IN NORTH CAROLINA AND ASKED ABOUT THE WEATHER. HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN OVERCAST. THE PILOT REPLIED THAT HE WOULD "COME ON AND SKIRT THE MOUNTAINS." NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED AND THERE WAS NO FAA RECORD OF A WEATHER BRIEFING. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ABOUT 130 MILES WEST OF A STRAIGHT LINE BETWEEN THE DEPARTURE POINT AND THE DESTINATION. TWO KNOWN WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT CRASHED. ONE DESCRIBED THE ENGINE SOUND AS INCREASING IN PITCH AND THEN DYING. HE DESCRIBED THE SOUND AS SIMILAR TO A MODEL AIRCRAFT FLYING IN A CIRCLE. THE OTHER WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED AND STARTED THREE TIMES. HE ALSO ESTIMATED THE CEILING AS VERY LOW AND THE VISIBILITY AS VERY POOR. AN EXAMINATION OF THE CRASH SITE REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT WING TIP HAD SEPARATED AND HAD COME TO REST AT A DISTANCE FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE LOWER WING SKIN FAILED IN TENSION AND THE TOP SKIN WAS TORN AND DEFORMED UPWARD. THE PROPELLER HAD SEPARATED AND WAS CURLED & BENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N38540 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7700020
- Airframe hours: 2193
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Causey Aviation Services Inc
- Registered owner: Causey Aviation Services Inc
- Departed: KISSIMMEE, FL
- Destination: LIBERTY, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 134 total, 1 in this make and model, 74 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 102 °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 19820228003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820228003829A), Feb 28, 1982: Piper PA32260, Bradley, SC, Destroyed, 3 fatal. VFR pilot lost control in IMC. A portion of right wing failed in flight. No weather check. Adverse weather forecast

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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