# NTSB ATL84FA126: Piper PA-34-200T, N8300T, Fletcher, NC, March 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1984, 22:05 local (Mar 21, 1984, 03:05 UTC)
- Place: Fletcher, NC
- Coordinates: 35.180633, -83.3805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1806&lon=-83.3805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 5 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA126

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,ignition switch - switched off (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE LEFT ENG LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE FELT THE LOSS OF POWER AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME THAT HE TURNED OFF THE LANDING LIGHTS. WITH THE LEFT ENG MANIFOLD PRESSURE GAUGE READING 25 INCHES HG, THE PLT BELIEVED HE WAS RECEIVING SOME POWER FROM THAT ENG & DID NOT FEATHER THAT PROP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN TREES AFTER IT TURNED TO A HEADING OF ABOUT 035 DEG. THE AREA SURROUNDING THE AIRPORT IS WOODED WITH RISING HILLS. AN INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE ACFT WAS LOADED AT OR ABOVE ITS MAX GROSS WEIGHT LIMIT, & THAT THE CG WAS AFT OF THE REAR LIMIT. AN EXAM OF THE COCKPIT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT ENG MAG SWITCHES, LOCATED IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE LANDING LIGHT SWITCHES, WERE IN THE 'OFF' POSITION & THAT THE LANDING LIGHT SWITCHES WERE IN THE 'ON' POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8300T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8300T-2004-02-13), registration cancelled 2004-02-13, S/N 34-8170044, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2165
- Engines: CONTINENTAL L/TSIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Unlimited, Inc.
- Registered owner: A. B. C. Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1984, 177 hours before
- Departed: AVL, ARDEN, NC
- Destination: RDU, RALEIGH, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AVL, Asheville, runway 16, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,075 total, 131 in this make and model, 3,912 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 5 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 19840320008139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840320008139A), Mar 20, 1984: Piper PA34200T, Fletcher, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicated pilot turned off left mags instead of landing lights on climbout. Did not clean up. Landed in trees.

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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