# NTSB ATL83FA041: Piper PA-24-260, N555CE, Culpepper, VA, November 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1982, 14:58 local (19:58 UTC)
- Place: Culpepper, VA
- Coordinates: 38.469409, -78.000473 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4694&lon=-78.0005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - vacuum system - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - vacuum system - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - autopilot - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ABOUT 16 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REPORTED TO ARTCC THAT HE HAD LOST THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON, GYRO & VACUUM PUMP. RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST SHORTLY THEREAFTER. EXAMINATION OF THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED TO REVEAL A PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A PIPER ALTIMATIC III AUTOPILOT WHICH PROVIDES A BACK-UP SYSTEM ENTIRELY INDEPENDENT OF BOTH THE DIRECTIONAL GYRO & ATTITUDE GYRO, & THE VACUUM SYSTEM. SHOULD THESE FAIL, BY DISENGAGING THE ROLL & PITCH OF THE AUTOPILOT & PLACING THE TOGGLE SWITCH OF THE "AUTOFLITE" (BACK-UP SYSTEM) TO THE ON POSITION, THE ALL ELECTRIC AUTOFLITE WILL TAKE OVER & CONTROL THE ROLL AXIS OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT WAS ALSO REPORTEDLY EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRIC TURN COORDINATOR OR TURN & SLIP INDICATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N555CE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555CE-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 24-4000, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James T. Furchess, Jr.
- Registered owner: James T. Furchess, Jr.
- Departed: C, WOODBRIDGE, VA
- Destination: C, LYNCHBURG, VA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 126 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD

## 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 19821119059409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821119059409A), Nov 19, 1982: Piper PA24260, Culpeper, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed

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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