# NTSB ATL84FA099: Piper PA-30-160, N8742Y, Massies Mill, VA, February 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1984, 21:42 local (Feb 13, 1984, 02:42 UTC)
- Place: Massies Mill, VA
- Coordinates: 37.809593, -79.059005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8096&lon=-79.0590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA099

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT WAS PROGRESSING NORTHBOUND WHEN HE CONTACTED THE WASHINGTON FSS AT 2134 EST FOR UPDATED WX INFO. AT THAT TIME, HE DESCRIBED HIS POSITION AS NORTH OF LYNCHBURG, VA. THE FSS BRIEFER NOTED THAT HIS VOICE WAS NORMAL, HIS MANNER WAS CALM & PROFESSIONAL & THERE WAS NO HINT OF ANYTHING UNUSUAL. ABOUT 8 MINUTES LATER, THE ACFT HIT TREES & TERRAIN ON A SADDLE BETWEEN 2 MOUNTAIN PEAKS, ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED IN LEVEL FLT ON A HEADING OF 190 DEG. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. RADAR DATA SHOWED A PROBABLE TRACK FOR THE ACFT. THE TRACK PROGRESSED NORTHBOUND (354 DEG) AT 4400 TO 4500 FT MSL UNTIL PASSING ABEAM MONTEBELLO VOR AT APRX 2138:30 EST, JUST AFTER THE PLT ENDED HIS RADIO CALL TO THE FSS. THE ACFT THEN TURNED RIGHT TO ABOUT 170 DEG & DESCENDED TO 3700 & SLOWED FROM 180 KTS TO 138 KTS. AFTER FLYING NEAROR OVER THE WINTERGREEN SKI AREA, WHERE NIGHT SKIING WAS IN PROGRESS, THE ACFT CRASHED AT AN ELEVATION OF APROX 3700 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8742Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8742Y-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 30-1897, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1897
- Airframe hours: 3942
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ott L. Sedwick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1983, 11 hours before
- Departed: HYW, CONWAY, SC
- Destination: BTP, BUTLER, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,170 total, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH, 33 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 19840212054269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840212054269A), Feb 12, 1984: Piper PA30, Massies Mill, VA, Destroyed. Struck trees on a mountain. Had made a turn and descent off course reason unknown unless pilot encounted clouds.

## Other investigations on N8742Y (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 NYC70IN119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70IN119), May 14, 1970: Piper PA-30 (N8742Y), State College, PA, incident, minor 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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