# NTSB ATL83FA014: Piper PA-28-181, N21678, Athens, TN, October 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1982, 21:12 local (Oct 22, 1982, 01:12 UTC)
- Place: Athens, TN
- Coordinates: 35.450546, -84.600502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4505&lon=-84.6005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - failure,partial (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD NOT FLOWN FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. ON 10/15/82 HE RECEIVED DUAL INSTRUCTION IN A C-172 & ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CHECKED OUT IN THE PA-28. HIS CERTIFICATE WAS NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLIGHT. AT 1716 THE PLT ACTIVATED A VFR FLT PLAN. AT APPROXIMATELY 2107 THE PLT DECLARED A "LIMITED EMERGENCY" WITH ATLANTA ARTCC. HE TOLD THE CONTOLLER HE WAS EXTREMEMLY LOW ON FUEL & WANTED TO GO STRAIGHT TO AN ARPT. THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT MCMINN COUNTY ARPT WAS AT 12 O'CLOCK & 7 MI. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A PASTURE 1-1/2 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT. ABOUT 1 QT OF FUEL WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21678](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21678-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 28-7990056, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990056
- Airframe hours: 1286
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Reddel
- Registered owner: Partership
- Departed: C, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Destination: C, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 306 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 118 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 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 19821021056409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821021056409A), Oct 21, 1982: Piper PA28181, Athens, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot with night restriction ran out of fuel en route. Lost control during night forced landing. Impact was fatal.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.