# NTSB ATL82FA233: Piper PA-28-140, N7379J, Folkston, GA, August 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1982, 23:52 local (Aug 7, 1982, 03:52 UTC)
- Place: Folkston, GA
- Coordinates: 30.830242, -81.999961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8302&lon=-82.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70695
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70695/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA233

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP IN SE GEORGIA. THUNDERSTORMS, VARYING IN MAGNITUDE FROM LEVELS 3 TO 5, WERE MOVING FROM WEST OF JACKSONVILLE FL TO AN AREA NORTH OF THE OKEFENOKE SWAMP. THE STORMS WERE MOVING NW AT 20K.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7379J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7379J-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 28-24741, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24741
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian K. Rankin
- Registered owner: Brian K. Rankin
- Departed: DNL, AUGUSTA, GA
- Destination: GAINESVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 45 total, 21 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Observed at: AYS, 35 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 19820806036309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820806036309A), Aug 6, 1982: Piper PA28140, Folkston, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into a swamp. Thunderstorms in area. Cabin and occupants not recovered due to deep water and roots.

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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