# NTSB ATL83LA344: Piper PA-32-300, N8987N, Blairsville, GA, August 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1983, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Blairsville, GA
- Coordinates: 34.869491, -83.950508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8695&lon=-83.9505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA344
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA344

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,normal brake system - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE RUN-UP BEFORE TAKEOFF, HE NOTED THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE WAS NOT FIRM, BUT HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FLT. WHILE CRUISING, HE CHECKED THE BRAKE & REPORTEDLY, NO PRESSURE WAS AVAILABLE. THE REMAINDER OF THE FLT WAS ROUTINE UNTIL LANDING. DURING THE FLARE TO LAND, HE ROUNDED OUT HIGH WITH FULL FLAPS & REDUCED HIS POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. IN HIS ACCIDENT REPORT, THE PLT SUGGESTED THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE FLOWN WITH FAULTY BRAKES & COULD HAVE HAD MORE PRACTICE IN SHORT FIELD AND/OR SLOW APCHS WITH FULL FLAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8987N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8987N-2000-08-31), registration cancelled 2000-08-31, S/N 3240870 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40870
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tom Grusenmeyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1983, 71 hours before
- Departed: ORLANDO, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 46A, Blairsville, runway 25, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total, 70 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Observed at: CHA, 30 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 19830830045189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830830045189A), Aug 30, 1983: Piper PA32300, Blairsville, GA, Substantial damage. Leveled off too high on landing. Stalled. Impact on runway failed the left main gear and damaged fuselage, wings.

## Other investigations on N8987N (2)

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.

- [NTSB LAX76FUJ83](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76FUJ83), Jun 8, 1976: Piper PA-32 (N8987N), Tubac, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK73DVW20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73DVW20), May 17, 1973: Piper PA-32 (N8987N), Tonopah, NV, substantial damage

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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