# NTSB ATL83FAMS1: Piper PA-24, N7284P, Fleeton, VA, June 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1983, 09:26 local (13:26 UTC)
- Place: Fleeton, VA
- Coordinates: 37.85992, -76.290534 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8599&lon=-76.2905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FAMS1
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FAMS1

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command

## Analysis

ON JULY 2, A MAIN LANDING GEAR, IDENTIFIED BY THE FAA AS PART OF N7284P, WAS FOUND FLOATING IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. THE BODY OF THE DESEASED PASSENGER WAS LOCATED ON JULY 9, 1983 IN THE BAY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO RECORD OF COMMUNICATIONBETWEEN THE ACFT AND ANY FAA FACILITY AFTER DEPARTURE. WX IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE THE LANDING GEAR WAS LOCATED WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR VFR FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7284P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2461
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene Willard Duckworth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EWN, NEW BERN, NC
- Destination: LNS, LANCASTER, PA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,356 total, 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken

## 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 19830629028459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830629028459A), Jun 29, 1983: Piper PA24, Fleeton, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft parts were found in chesapeake bay and aircraft was presumed to be destroyed and occupants fatally injured

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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