# NTSB ATL84FA054: Piper PA-28-180, N5396L, Lexington, TN, November 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1983, 13:46 local (19:46 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, TN
- Coordinates: 35.638968, -88.384621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6390&lon=-88.3846&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA054

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL DESCENT DURING IMC WEATHER ON A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT HAD FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN BUT HE WAS A STUDENT WITH LIMITED EXPERIENCE AND WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. ALSO HE WAS CARRYING A PASSENGER. THE CONTROLLER WHO HAD BEEN WORKING THE FLT HAD NOTED A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM ON THE PART OF THE PLT IN HIS HOLDING OFHEADINGS AND REPORTING PROCEDURES. WHEN THE FLT FINALLY ENCOUNTERED THUNDERSTORMS AND TURBULENCE RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST.THE LAST RADIO CONTACT WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 1346. THE MKC FSS SPECIALIST STATED TO MEMPHIS CENTER AT 1346:07 THAT THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN SEVERE TURBULENCE & DID NOT KNOW HIS LOCATION. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 4 MILES EAST OF LEXINGTON, TN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5396L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5396L-1985-01-15), registration cancelled 1985-01-15, S/N 284705 (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
- Serial number: 28-4705
- Airframe hours: 1788
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Max Bolen And David Mitchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1983
- Departed: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Destination: PBF, PINE BLUFF, AR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 163 total, 161 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKL, 31 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 19831127059009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831127059009A), Nov 27, 1983: Piper PA28180, Lexington, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Student pilot filed IFR flight plan and continued flight into an area of thunderstorms.

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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