# NTSB ATL82FA267: Piper PA-28R-180, N3833T, Itta Bena, MS, September 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1982, 00:03 local (05:03 UTC)
- Place: Itta Bena, MS
- Location: 33.5053° N, 90.3264° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Itta Bena, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5053&lon=-90.3264&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71161
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71161/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA267

## 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 - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - 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

AT 2329 WHILE ENROUTE THE PLT WAS ADVISED OF WX CONDITIONS ALONG HIS ROUTE. HE WAS ADVISED OF PREVIOUS LOW VFR CONDITIONS IN THE GREENWOOD AREA. THE FSS SPECIALIST STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN "LOW CONDITIONS RIGHT AROUND GREENWOOD FOR ABOUT A HOUR AND A HALF OR SO." RADAR INFORMATION SHOWED AN ACFT AT 0001 APPROXIMATELY 2 MI SOUTH OF THE GREENWOOD VOR. THE RADAR DISPLAY DEPICTED THE ACFT FLYING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION, CROSS OVER THE GREENWOOD VOR & TURN LEFT. AFTER THE TURN OF ABOUT 27O DEG RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST ABOUT 1 MI NE OF THE VOR. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN A FIELD ABOUT 1 MI N OF THE VOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3833T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R30151
- Airframe hours: 1268
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Conner, Lee K.
- Registered owner: Conner, Lee K.
- Departed: C, COLUMBIA, MS
- Destination: C, BATESVILLE, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 118 total, 100 in this make and model, 96 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 169 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820911069429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820911069429A), Sep 11, 1982: Piper PA28R180, Itta Bena, MS, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Vertical impact indicates VFR pilot lost control en route at night in minimum VFR conditions and few ground lights.

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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