# NTSB ATL83FKG05: Piper PA-28-161, N8451R, Pine Moutain, GA, November 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1982, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Pine Moutain, GA
- Location: 32.8407° N, 84.8824° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HARRIS COUNTY (PIM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8407&lon=-84.8824&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FKG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FKG05

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DUE TO LOCAL WX CONDITIONS, THE ACFT WAS RECEIVING RADAR VECTORS TO COLUMBUS, GA. ENROUTE TO COLUMBUS, THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND AT THE CALLAY GARDENS-HARRIS COUNTY ARPT. DURING FINAL APPROACH, HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT & STRUCK SEVERAL TREES. HE THEN ADDED FULL POWER & WAS ABLE TO MAKE A NORMAL LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8451R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-821603
- Airframe hours: 572
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Scruggs
- Departed: 6A2, GRIFFIN, GA
- Destination: 4A7, HAMPTON, GA
- Airport: PIM, Callaway Gardens, runway 9, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 323 total, 71 in this make and model, 272 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821126069749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821126069749A), Nov 26, 1982: Piper PA28161, Pine Mountain, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck trees on short final during approach for night landing.

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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