# NTSB ATL84FA064: Piper PA-24-260B, N8981P, Mcdonald, TN, December 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1983
- Place: Mcdonald, TN
- Coordinates: 35.079101, -84.98085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0791&lon=-84.9809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6241/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA064

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED 2 WX BRIEFINGS BEFORE TAKEOFF & WAS PROVIDED FLT PRECAUTIONS OF IMC TO CONTINUE BEYOND 0900 EST. ALSO, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE MOUNTAINS WOULD BE OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED & ICING COULD BE EXPECTED TO THE WEST BELOW 6000 FT. DURING BOTH BRIEFINGS, HE REPORTED HIS INTENTIONS TO FLY UNDER IFR; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN. AFTER HIS LAST BRIEFING, HE SAID HE WOULD CALL BACK AFTER REVIEWING HIS CHARTS. BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PLT ADVISED GROUND CONTROL HE PLANNED TO CRUISE 'JUST AROUND 1100, RIGHT UNDER THE DECK.' HE TOOK OFF AT APRX 0845. AT 0853, RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED, 9 MI EAST OF THE ARPT & NO FURTHER CONTACT WAS MADE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 75 FT BELOW THE SUMMIT OF WHITE OAK MOUNTAIN, ABOUT 10 MI NE OF THE ARPT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT MAD IMPACTED IN AN APPARENT NOSE LEVEL, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE EVIDENT. LOCAL RESIDENTS REPORTED LOW CLOUDS WHICH OBSCURED THE HILL TOPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8981P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8981P-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 24-4440, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260B
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4440
- Airframe hours: 2648
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Adolph Nonnenkamp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Destination: 5A1, MARION, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,526 total, 710 in this make and model, 1,416 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 10 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 19831213061109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831213061109A), Dec 13, 1983: Piper PA24260, Mcdonald, TN, Destroyed. Flew into trees near the crest of a cloud obscured mountain. Intentions were to stay under cloud deck over highway.

## Other investigations on N8981P (1)

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 ATL82FID10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FID10), May 22, 1982: Piper 24-260 (N8981P), Lexington, VA, 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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