# NTSB ATL83FA211: Piper PA-28-140, N7571R, Lexington, NC, June 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1983, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, NC
- Coordinates: 35.799507, -80.249702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7995&lon=-80.2497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA211

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORT OF THE APPROACH END OF THE INTENDED LANDING RWY. THE WEATHER WAS VMC. THE LANDING RWY WAS 26 AND THE PILOT SAID HE REALIZED HE WAS LOW ON THE FINAL APPROACH. DURING THE APPROACH THE ACFT WAS BLOWN OFF THE APPROACH PATH. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND RE-ALIGNED THE ACFT WITH THE RWY IT STRUCK TREES AND CAME TO REST 300 FT SHORT OF THE DISPLACED RWY THRESHOLD. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE 13 KTS GUSTING TO 18 KTS FROM 210 DEGREES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7571R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7571R-1983-10-04), registration cancelled 1983-10-04, S/N 28-22137 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22137
- Airframe hours: 3561
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leevon Mckinney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1983, 3 hours before
- Airport: EXX, Lexington Muni., runway 26, 3,300 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 165 total, 38 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 23 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 19830603022879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830603022879A), Jun 3, 1983: Piper PA28140, Lexington, NC, Substantial damage. Too low on final in gusty wind and downdrafts. Struck trees on embankment short of runway.

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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