# NTSB ATL83LA331: Piper PA-28-180, N6439J, Mt. Airy, NC, August 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1983, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Airy, NC
- Coordinates: 36.499595, -80.610427 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4996&lon=-80.6104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA331

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.  A contributing factor was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 300 FEET AGL HE NOTICED AN ABNORMALITY BUT NO LOSS OF RPM. AFTER TURNING TO RETURN FOR LANDING THE ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY. PRIOR TO REACHING A FIELD STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A POWER LINE CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TOP OF A TREE, TOUCHED DOWN BEHIND A HOUSE THEN SLID 100 FEET AND STRUCK A SHED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,static

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6439J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6439J-1984-07-16), registration cancelled 1984-07-16, S/N 284857 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 6945
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Virginia Carolina Aviation Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 1983
- Airport: MWK, Surry County, runway 36, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 2 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19830819043249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830819043249A), Aug 19, 1983: Piper PA28180, Mount Airy, NC, Substantial damage. Reported power loss on upwind leg. Hit wires, trees and shed on forced landing. Had not been checked out in type.

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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