# NTSB ATL83AA031: Piper PA-31-310, N3538R, Spencer, VA, November 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1982, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Spencer, VA
- Coordinates: 36.610466, -80.010635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6105&lon=-80.0106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83AA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83AA031

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FILED AN IFR CLEARANCE AND TOOK OFF ON RUNWAY 30 AFTER DARK. AT THAT TIME, THE AIRPORT MANAGER WAS IN HIS LIVING QUARTERS, GETTING READY TO EAT HIS EVENING MEAL. HE REPORTED THAT FROM HIS POSITION, THE TAKEOFF HEIGHT LOOKED NORMAL. AS THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED, HE NOTICED NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS, EXCEPT HE HEARD WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS SHOTS FROM A RIFLE. ANOTHER WITNESS HEARD WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A LOUD POP AND THE SOUND OF ENGINE SPUTTER FOLLOWED BY A CRASH SOUND. LATER, THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT 1 1/2 MI NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT IT HAD COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER AN AREA ABOUT 1000 FT LONG. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ENGINES WAS FOUND. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE FOUND TWISTED AND BENT. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE ALL ACCOUNTED FOR AND EXAMINED AND NO PREIMPACT FAILURES WERE FOUND. NO BULLET IMPACT MARKS WERE FOUND ON ANY PIECE OF THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3538R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3538R-1983-04-14), registration cancelled 1983-04-14, S/N 31-7912115 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-310
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31) (registry code 7103103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7912115
- Airframe hours: 847
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-A2C 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: 7 C'S Transportation, Inc.
- Registered owner: 7 C'S Transportation, Inc.
- Departed: C, SPENCER, VA
- Destination: C, GREENVILLE, SC
- Airport: MTV, Blue Ridge Airport, runway 30, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,250 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,075 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Observed at: DAN, 30 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 19821114070389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821114070389A), Nov 14, 1982: Piper PA31310, Spencer, VA, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Struck trees on rising terrain after takeoff. Dark night, no ground lights. Was making a left turn at impact.

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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