# NTSB ATL84FA187: Piper PA-30, N7217Y, Charlotte, NC, May 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1984, 17:42 local (21:42 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte, NC
- Location: 35.2132° N, 80.9514° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTL (CLT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2132&lon=-80.9514&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA187

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - flt control syst,stabilator trim - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,electric relay - binding(mechanical)
  - electrical system,electric relay - dirty(foggy)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - stabilator trim - not corrected, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT DEPARTED RWY 18L AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER REPORTED TO THE TOWER THAT HE HAD A STUCK TRIM. THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON RWY 18R. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT DESCEND RAPIDLY ON DOWNWIND TO APPROX 300 TO 500 FT AGL AND MAKE A STEEP (90 TO 120 DEGREE) RIGHT BANK TURN. THE NOSE OF THE ACFT CAME UP TO THE HORIZON AFTER THE TURN, JUST PRIOR TO GND IMPACT. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO REPOSITION THE ACFT FOR BANK COURIER FLIGHTS. EXAM OF THE TRIM SYSTEM REVEALED DISCONNECTED AND DETERIORATED WIRING AND OTHER ELECTRIC MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE MANUAL TRIM HANDLE WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM ITS PROPER MOUNT POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7217Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7217Y-1989-09-12), registration cancelled 1989-09-12, S/N 30243 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-243
- Airframe hours: 10327
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southeast Airmotive Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 14, 1984, 26 hours before
- Departed: CLT
- Destination: GCY, GREENVILLE, TN
- Airport: CLT, Douglas Int'L, runway 18R, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,550 total, 1,010 in this make and model, 4,350 as pilot in command, 253 in the last 90 days, 97 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 1 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 19840529023999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840529023999A), May 29, 1984: Piper PA30, Charlotte, NC, Destroyed. Trim problem. Steep bank and descent to runway. Trim in full up position,wires to trim switch bare, trim handle off.

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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