# NTSB ATL84FA147: Piper PA-28-180, N5009T, Athens, GA, April 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1984, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Athens, GA
- Coordinates: 34.000511, -83.340332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0005&lon=-83.3403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA147

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE STARTING AN APCH, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THE WX WAS: 300 FT OBSCURED, VISIBILITY 3/4 MI WITH LIGHT RAIN & FOG. THE MINIMUMS FOR A STRAIGHT-IN VOR APCH TO RWY 2 WERE 400 FT MDA & 1 MI VISIBILITY; FOR A CIRCLING APCH, THE MINIMUMS WERE 433 FT & 1 MI. THE PLT TOLD ATLANTA CENTER THAT HE WOULD TRY THE APCH TO ATHENS 1 TIME. HE INITIATED THE APCH TO RWY 2. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT CROSS THE ARPT FROM SOUTH TO NORTH, ENTER LOW CLOUDS, THEN HEARD WHAT THEY INTERPRETED TO BE A RIGHT TURN. THEY THEN SAW THE ACFT DESCENDING IN A RIGHT TURN & DISAPPEAR BEHIND BUILDINGS. IT CRASHED 57 FT EAST OF RWY 2/20. THE SERIOUSLY INJURED PLT COULD NOT RECALL THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5009T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5009T-1990-08-23), registration cancelled 1990-08-23, S/N 287205238 (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: 28-7205238
- Airframe hours: 3871
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-H4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cherokee Chiefs/James Sturgeon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1983, 84 hours before
- Departed: MCO, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: AHN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AHN, Athens Municipal, runway 20, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 424 total, 64 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 18 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN

## 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 19840422013969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840422013969A), Apr 22, 1984: Piper PA28180, Athens, GA, Destroyed. Lost control trying to circle for landing after approach in below minima weather. Flew into the ground on airport.

## Other investigations on N5009T (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 NYC75FGM24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75FGM24), Feb 20, 1975: Piper PA-28 (N5009T), Johnstown, PA, 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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