# NTSB ATL84FA133: Beech A36TC, N3808N, Atlanta, GA, March 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1984, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.8760° N, 84.3020° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DEKALB-PEACHTREE (PDK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8760&lon=-84.3020&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6269/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA133

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,exterior crew - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE PLT RADIOED THAT A DOOR HAD POPPED OPEN & HE NEEDED TO RETURN. ACCORDING TO A PLT WITNESS, THE ACFT HAD CLIMBED ABOVE TREETOP LEVEL WHEN IT STARTED TO LOSE ALT. ANOTHER WITNESS SAID THE ACFT LEVELED OFF & STARTED TO SINK, THEN THE NOSE CAME UP AGAIN, BUT THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND & ROLLED OFF AN EMBANKMENT. AFTER GOING OVER THE EMBANKMENT, THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN AND IMPACTED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE GROUND WITNESS RECALLED THAT WHEN THE ACFT PASSED HIS POSITION NEAR THE RWY, THE DOOR WAS OPEN & AN OBJECT THAT LOOKED LIKE A SEAT BELT WAS HANGING OUT THE TOP OF THE DOOR.AN EXAM OF THE DOOR REVEALED NO PREIMPACT PROBLEM THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED IT FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. IMPACT MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE GROUND NEAR THE END OF THE RWY WHERE THE LANDING GEAR HAD TOUCHED DOWN HARD, BEFORE THE ACFT WENT OVER THE EMBANKMENT. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL, AN UNLOCKED DOOR WOULD NOT AFFECT THE FLT CHARACTERISTICS, EXCEPT TO SLIGHTLY REDUCE THE CLIMB RATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3808N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3808N-1995-04-06), registration cancelled 1995-04-06, S/N EA181 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36TC
- Registry model: [Beech A36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36tc) (registry code 1151603) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: EA-181
- Airframe hours: 397
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-UB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Atlantic Executive
- Registered owner: Parker Engineers And Chemical
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 16, 1983, 50 hours before
- Destination: DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PDK, runway 16, 3,966 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 607 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK

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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