# NTSB ATL82FLT04: Piper PA-32R-300, N444ME, Iuka, MS, May 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1982, 17:06 local (22:06 UTC)
- Place: Iuka, MS
- Location: 34.8074° N, 88.1969° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Iuka, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8074&lon=-88.1969&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71162
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLT04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71162/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLT04

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED DURING A PASS ACROSS THE AIRPORT. A WITNESS WAS PARKED, FACING EAST, IN THE RUNUP AREA FOR RUNWAY 18. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE THE AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF ABOUT 6 MINUTES EARLIER, MADE A TRAFFIC PATTERN, AND CRASHED BEHIND AND TO HIS RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING AND TRAVELED ABOUT 300 FT AFTER IMPACT. THE LEFT WING TIP LENS WAS FOUND AT THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT. THE INITIAL IMPACT MARK WAS VERY NARROW. IT GRADUALLY WIDENED FROM 4 INCHES TO 18 INCHES OVER THE FIRST 40 FT WHERE THE NOSE OF THE PLANE HIT A 4 FT BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N444ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444ME-1982-08-30), registration cancelled 1982-08-30, S/N 32R-7680220, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 52R-7680220
- Airframe hours: 2005
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Harris
- Registered owner: David Harris
- Departed: ISM, IUKA, MS
- Destination: ISM, IUKA, MS
- Airport: ISM, Iuka, runway 18, 3,200 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 763 total, 240 in this make and model, 674 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820511017689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820511017689A), May 11, 1982: Piper PA32R300, Iuka, MS, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into ground during low pass over airport.

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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