# NTSB ATL82FA196: Piper PA-24-250, N6868P, Roswell, GA, July 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1982, 08:55 local (12:55 UTC)
- Place: Roswell, GA
- Coordinates: 33.93077, -84.269332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9308&lon=-84.2693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA196

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - control tower service - inadequate, atc personnel(dep/apch) (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT 12 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REPORTED "...ALTERNATOR OR GENERATOR TROUBLE" & REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HE LATER REPORTED THAT HE WAS HAVING RADIO PROBLEMS. THE PLT WAS VECTORED TO INTERCEPT THE ILS RWY 20L APCH COURSE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 1 MI WEST OF THE CHAMB OUTER MARKER. THE PLT DID NOT DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. STORED RADAR INFORMATION SHOWED RECEIVING TRANSPONDER INFORMATION UNTIL THE FIRST COAST TARGET. DISASSEMBLY OF THE GYRO HORIZON & DIRECTIONAL GYRO REVEALED HEAVY ROTATIONAL DAMAGE. WHEN THE PLT DEPARTED THE WX WAS 300 FT OVERCAST WITH 3 MI IN FOG & HAZE. THE PLT WAS NOT ADVISED OF THE LATEST REPORTED WX. THE PLT NOTED ONLY 4 INSTRUMENT APPROACHES IN HIS LOG BOOK IN 1982, ALL ON 3/8/82 DURING AN IFR RECURRENCY TRAINING FLT. THE CFI LATER REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT FEEL THAT THE PLT WAS SUFFICIENTLY COMPETENT ON THAT FLT TO BE ENDORSED FOR AN INSTRUMENT COMPETENCY CHECK. THE PLT WAS RUSTY ON INSTRUMENTS & HAD DIFFICULTY ON THE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6868P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6868P-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 24-2003, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2003
- Airframe hours: 2165
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Dutchman Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dutchman Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: C, CHAMBLEE, GA
- Destination: C, ANDERSON, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PDK, Dekalb Peachtree, runway 20, 5,001 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 742 total, 8 in this make and model, 651 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 160 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 5 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 19820715029019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820715029019A), Jul 15, 1982: Piper PA24250, Roswell, GA, Destroyed. Returning due to reported generator problem. Lost control after flying thru localizer and descending below minimums.

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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