# NTSB ATL82FA093: Piper PA-28-180, N9610J, Bostic, NC, April 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1982, 20:00 local (Apr 6, 1982, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Bostic, NC
- Coordinates: 35.360687, -81.830154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3607&lon=-81.8302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE ABOUT 5 MI EAST OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. WHEN THE AIRPORT OPERATOR WENT HOME AT ABOUT 1830 EST, HE NOTED THAT A 350 FT MOUNTAIN PEAK NEAR HIS HOME WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. AT ABOUT THAT SAME TIME, HE ESTIMATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS 1/8 TO 1/4 MI WITH LIGHT RAIN AND DRIZZLE. AT ABOUT 2000 EST, WITNESSES HEARD AN AIRCRAFT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE WAS DESCRIBED AS INCREASING AND DECREASING ALTERNATELY, THEN IT CEASED ABRUPTLY WITH THE SOUND OF AN IMPACT. THE PILOT'S WIFE, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, SAID THAT HIS HABIT WAS TO USE THE 090 DEG RADIAL OF THE SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN VORTAC TO FLY OVER THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9610J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9610J-1987-06-09), registration cancelled 1987-06-09, S/N 283760 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3760
- Airframe hours: 2912
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Alden Jones
- Registered owner: Robert Alden Jones
- Departed: RDU, RALEIGH, NC
- Destination: 57A, RUTHERFORDTON, NC
- Airport: 57A, Rutherford County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,279 total, 260 in this make and model, 1,098 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: 300 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 19820405008269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820405008269A), Apr 5, 1982: Piper PA28180, Bostic, NC, Destroyed. The pilot continued VFR flight into IMC. Crash occurred 5 miles east of intented destination.

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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