# NTSB ATL84FA044: Piper PA-31-300, N6459L, Charlotte, NC, November 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1983, 02:36 local (07:36 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte, NC
- Coordinates: 35.13021, -80.860969 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1302&lon=-80.8610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA044

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FIRST RADAR IDENTIFIED ABOUT 18 MI NORTH OF THE ARPT & WAS GIVEN RADAR VECTORS FOR A RIGHT DOWNWIND & BASE TO RWY 36R. WHILE ON A DOWNWIND HEADING 150 DEG, THE PLT WAS ASSIGNED A HEADING OF 270 DEG & WAS QUERIED IF THE ARPT WASIN SIGHT. THE PLT RESPONDED '...WE GOT IT.' HOWEVER, RADAR DATA SHOWS THE ACFT CONTINUING THE TURN THROUGH 270 DEG TO ABOUT 350 DEG. AFTER ABOUT 1/2 MI, THE ACFT TURNED LEFT TO 250 DEG DESCENDING. THE TURN CONTINUED TO A SW HEADING APPROXIMATELY ALIGNED WITH A CITY STREET THAT PASSES SOUTH OF THE ARPT ON A COURSE OF 250 DEG. THE ALTITUDE DECREASED WITH A CONSISTENT RATE TO 900 FT WHEN RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. ELEV AT THE APCH END OF RWY 36R IS 724 FT. WRECKAGE DISTRIBUTION WAS ALONG A 245 DEG HEADING. A FLT INSPECTION OF THE RWY 36R EDGE LIGHTS AT NIGHT DURING VFR CONDITIONS INDICATED THE LIGHTS WERE NOT VISIBLE BEYOND 30 DEG OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. THE PLT GOT UP AT 0730 ON 11/14.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6459L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6459L-1984-05-31), registration cancelled 1984-05-31, S/N 31-415 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-300) (registry code 7103104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-415
- Airframe hours: 7267
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-M1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Southeast Airmotive Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 13, 1983, 96 hours before
- Departed: INT, WINSTON SALEM, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CLT, Douglas International, runway 36R, 7,845 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,950 total, 1,870 in this make and model, 11,550 as pilot in command, 294 in the last 90 days, 96 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT

## 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 19831115057489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831115057489A), Nov 15, 1983: Piper PA31300, Charlotte, NC, Destroyed. Struck a telephone pole on visual approach to airport. Mistook street lights for runway. Advanc artery disease noted.

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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