# NTSB ATL82FA251: Piper PA-28R-201T, N38231, State Road, NC, August 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1982, 17:18 local (21:18 UTC)
- Place: State Road, NC
- Coordinates: 36.330997, -80.849449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3310&lon=-80.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72718
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72718/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA251

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - leak (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HIS ENGINE HAD QUIT. ARTCC ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE NEAREST ARPT WAS ELKING AT 12 MI. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER HE REPORTED THAT HE DIDN'T THINK HE COULD MAKE THE ARPT & WAS GOING TO LOOK FOR A FIELD. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE LANDING GEAR DOWN ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES ABOUT 300 FT FROM A PLOWED FIELD. OTHER FIELDS WERE IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THE PLT'S SHOULDER HARNESS WAS STOWED. THE LEFT TANK WAS RUPTURED & EMPTY. PERSONNEL AT THE WRECKAGE REPORTED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 1 INCH OF FUEL. FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE UPPER ENGINE CASE SUPPLY LINE FITTING AT THE FUEL MANIFOLD VALVE. FUEL STAINS WERE ALSO NOTED FORWARD OF THE RUBBER COUPLING THAT JOINS THE TURBOCHARGER COMPRESSED AIR LINE TO THE UPSTREAM (AFT) END OF THE THROTTLE BODY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38231](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38231-1983-04-14), registration cancelled 1983-04-14, S/N 28R7703191, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7703191
- Airframe hours: 1330
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB1 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald L. Watson
- Registered owner: Watson Directory Corporation
- Departed: C, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Destination: C, WINSTON SALEM, NC
- Airport: ZEF, Elkin Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 393 total, 332 in this make and model, 223 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 163 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 34 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 19820829042139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820829042139A), Aug 29, 1982: Piper PA28R201T, State Road, NC, Substantial damage. Crashed into trees on forced landing. Open fields in area. Fuel selector on an empty tank. Shoulder harness stowed.

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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