# NTSB ATL84FA151: Piper PA-32-260, N5502J, Maynardville, TN, April 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1984, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Maynardville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.240592, -83.799324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2406&lon=-83.7993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA151

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,stabilator - overload
  - flight control,stabilator - separation
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN UNCONTROLLED STATE AFTER THE AIRFRAME FAILED IN FLT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT SPINNING OUT OF THE CLOUDS WITH PARTS OF THE AIRFRAME SEPARATING AS IT DESCENDED. THE WEATHER HAD BEEN DESCRIBED TO THE PLT IN 2 WX BRIEFINGS. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WX WAS 3500 FT OVERCAST WITH TOPS AT 8000 FT MSL, LIGHT TURBULENCE BELOW 10,000 FT, FREEZING LEVEL ABOVE 10,000 FT. THERE WAS A FLT PRECAUTION FOR THUNDERSTORMS. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER AN AREA OF APRX 2000 FT LONG X 50 FT WIDE. PAPER DEBRIS WAS FOUND UP TO 4 MI FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE WRECKAGE PATH WAS DIVIDED INTO 2 MAIN SECTIONS WHICH WERE SEPARATED BY A COUNTY ROAD. NE OF THE ROAD WERE PARTS FROM THE EMPENNAGE SECTION. SW OF THE ROAD WERE COMPONENTS FROM THE MAIN FUSELAGE & THE SEPARATED WING ASSEMBLIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5502J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5502J-1985-08-02), registration cancelled 1985-08-02, S/N 32972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-972
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Redstone Arsenal, doing business as Flying Club
- Registered owner: William Moeller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 7, 1984, 73 hours before
- Departed: HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Destination: HARRISONBURG, VA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 134 total, 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 35 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 19840427014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840427014559A), Apr 27, 1984: Piper PA32260, Maynardville, TN, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Witnesses observed aircraft exiting through cloud bases and then saw aircraft breaking apart.

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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