# NTSB ATL83FA099: Piper PA-28-180, N8366W, Lascassas, TN, February 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1983, 20:30 local (Feb 6, 1983, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Lascassas, TN
- Coordinates: 35.939643, -86.290122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9396&lon=-86.2901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA099

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A FIELD ABOUT 8 MILES AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF IN IMC WEATHER. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL BRIEFINGS. DURING HIS FINAL BRIEFING THE POSSIBILITY OF ICING WAS DISCUSSED. THE TAKEOFF TIME WAS ABOUT2030 HRS. THE NASHVILLE WEATHER OBSERVATION AT 2026 REPORT A CEILING OF 300 FT AND VISIBILITY OF 2 MILES IN SNOW AND FOG. RESIDENTS IN THE AREA REPORTED THAT FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW WERE FALLING WHEN THE CRASH WAS HEARD. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED IN THE CRASH AND THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8366W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2563
- Airframe hours: 4456
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mid-Tennessee Flying Club
- Registered owner: Gary Lowe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1982, 69 hours before
- Departed: MBT, MURFREESBORO, TN
- Destination: HUNTINGTON, WY
- Airport: MBT, Murfreesboro

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total, 250 in this make and model, 345 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 22 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 19830205004009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830205004009A), Feb 5, 1983: Piper PA28180, Lascassas, TN, Destroyed. VFR pilot lost control of aircraft shortly after departing into night IMC with snow and freezing drizzle.

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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