# NTSB ATL83FA081: Piper PA-24-250, N8066P, Beaufort, SC, January 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1983, 10:28 local (15:28 UTC)
- Place: Beaufort, SC
- Coordinates: 32.330806, -80.6791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3308&lon=-80.6791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - autopilot/flight director - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE IN IMC, THE ATC CONTROLLER NOTED THAT THE ACFT BEGAN TO REVERSE COURSE & ASKED THE PLT IF HE WAS HAVING A PROBLEM. THE PLT RESPONDED THAT THE ACFT WAS IN CLOUDS, HE WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH HIS ARTIFICIAL HORIZON & THAT HE DIDN'T REALIZE HE WAS IN A TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE REPORTED FAILURES OF THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON & AUTOPILOT, AND SAID HE WAS USING NEEDLE, BALL & AIRSPEED. THE CONTROLLER PROVIDED GYRO OUT PROCEDURES, BUT THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN AN ALTITUDE & HEADING. ALSO, WX THRU-OUT THE AREA CONSISTED OF LOW CEILINGS & CLOUDS TO ABOVE 18,000 FT. THE PLT WAS ADVISED THE BEST WX AROUND WAS AT CHATTANOOGA, TN, WHICH HAD 1300 SCATTERED, 2000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 3 MI WITH LIGHT RAIN & FOG. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST. PARTS OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND IN THE COMBHEE RIVER. THE RIGHT WING WAS FOUND ABOUT 1000 FT FROM THE RIVER. THE VACUUM PUMP, ENG, TURN & BANK INDICATOR AND SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS WERE RECOVERED FROM THE RIVER, BUT NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THESE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8066P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8066P-1993-05-12), registration cancelled 1993-05-12, S/N 243313 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3313
- Airframe hours: 4814
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald J. Humke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 29, 1982
- Departed: FMY, FT. MEYER, FL
- Destination: WILMINGTON, NC
- 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 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,058 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBC, 12 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 19830102000239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830102000239A), Jan 2, 1983: Piper PA24250, Beaufort, SC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Attitude gyro failed and pilot was unable to maintain controlled flight in instrument weather conditions.

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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