# NTSB ATL82FA110: Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, N165MA, Lafayette, GA, April 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1982, 09:23 local (14:23 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, GA
- Coordinates: 34.700645, -85.280853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7006&lon=-85.2809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA110

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DRG THE WX BRIEFING THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CEILINGS & POOR VISIBILITY. THE PLT RESPONDED HE HAD TO GO TO FT. PAYNE VFR BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH. A JEPPESEN US (LO)29 LOW ALT ENROUTE CHART WAS FOUND AT THE WRECKAGE THAT HAD A LINE DRAWN TRAVERSING SW OUT OF THE CHATTANOOGA VOR BETWEEN V-115 & V-115E. THE MEA FOR THESE AIRWAYS WAS 4,000 FT MSL. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PLT AS ADVISED THAT TOPS WERE REPORTED 4,500 FT WITH ANOTHER LAYER AT 9,000 FT. THE PLT RESPONDED HE WAS GOING TO FT. PAYNE & THEY HAD NO APPROACH THERE. APPROXIMATELY 2-1/2 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REPORTED "...LOOKS LIKE ABOUT 1500 IS ALL WE'RE GONNA GET RIGHT NOW." ABOUT 7 MIN LATER THE PLT REPORTED THEY WERE STILL VFR BUT MIGHT WANT TO TURN AROUND. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TOP OF A NORTH/SOUTH RIDGELINEAT AN ELEVATION OF 2,020 FT. THE COPILOT WAS PART OF THE COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT TEAM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N165MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N165MA-1983-09-21), registration cancelled 1983-09-21, S/N 541 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITSUBISHI MU-2B-30
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-30) (registry code 5780410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 541
- Airframe hours: 3263
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE-331-151A 705 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Campbell Taggart Inc.
- Registered owner: Campbell Taggart Inc.
- Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Destination: 4A9, FT. PAYNE, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,313 total, 260 in this make and model, 5,050 as pilot in command, 151 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 133 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 23 nm away

## 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 19820420010329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820420010329A), Apr 20, 1982: Mtsbsi MU2B30, Lafayette, GA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft impacted ridgeline at 2020 foot elevation. Pilot was attempting en route below low ceiling.

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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