# NTSB ATL83LA279: Piper PA-28-140, N55703, Asheville, NC, July 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1983, 11:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Asheville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.649528, -82.56089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6495&lon=-82.5609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA279

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Vortex turbulence encountered, landing - roll
  - comm/nav equipment,vor receiver - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED ON A X-COUNTRY FLT WITHOUT OBTAINING A WX BRIEFING. HE INDICATED THAT DURING THE FLT, HE WAS FLYING OVER A BROKEN SKY CONDITION & REPORTED THAT THE VOR WENT BAD. AFTER FLYING ABOUT 5 HRS, HE BECAME UNSURE OF HIS LOCATION. WITH THE FUEL RUNNING LOW, THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE ACFT WAS SPACED ABOUT 300 FT BEHIND A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PLT LOST CONTROL & THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY & NOSED OVER. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE BEHIND THE TRUCK. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED & REPORTED ONLY 1.5 HRS OF INSTRUMENT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55703](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55703-1997-07-29), registration cancelled 1997-07-29, S/N 287325462 (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: 28-7325462
- Airframe hours: 2090
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-L2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Derwitt W. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1983, 47 hours before
- Departed: 8W2, NEW MARKET, VA
- Destination: HDI, CLEVELAND, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 864 total, 46 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 5 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 19830717033009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830717033009A), Jul 17, 1983: Piper PA28140, Asheville, NC, Substantial damage. Became lost in marginal weather. Exhausted fuel. Flipped over on landing on freeway by turbulence from a 18 wheeler

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.