# NTSB ATL83FA339: Piper PA-38-112, N2490P, Lexington, GA, August 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1983
- Place: Lexington, GA
- Coordinates: 33.869918, -83.109214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8699&lon=-83.1092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA339
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA339

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A CABLE PATROL/AERIAL OBSERVATION MISSION. WHILE PATROLLING, HE MISSED A TURN IN THE CABLE ROUTE & TURN TO RELOCATE IT. AFTER RELOCATING THE ROUTE, HE LOOKED BACK TO OBSERVE A PORTION THAT HE HAD MISSED & SAW A LOGGING OPERATION. THE PLT TURNED AGAIN TO BETTER OBSERVE THE ACTIVITY, THEN STARTED TO REPORT ITS LOCATION BY USING A HAND HELD RADIO. HE THEN DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO A SHEET OF PAPER IN THE RIGHT SEAT TO OBTAIN THE PROPER FREQUENCY NUMBER. WHEN HE LOOKED UP, HE SAW A BIG TREE, JUST BEFORE IMPACT. THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT HIT THE TREE, THEN THE ACFT CRASHED & BURNED. THE ACFT WAS A BACKUP PLANE & DID NOT HAVE PANEL MOUNTED AIR-TO-GROUND RADIOS FOR CABLE PATROL REPORTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2490P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2490P-1989-06-07), registration cancelled 1989-06-07, S/N 3879A1005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A1005
- Airframe hours: 587
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Bearcreek Aviation
- Registered owner: John Webb
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 4A7, HAMPTON, GA
- Destination: EQY, MONROE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 18 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 19830824048169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830824048169A), Aug 24, 1983: Piper PA38112, Lexington, GA, Destroyed. Struck tress on a cable observation flight. Descended while trying to use portable air to ground telephone.

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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