# NTSB ATL84FA203: Camair 480, N231, Cumming, GA, June 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1984, 11:44 local (15:44 UTC)
- Place: Cumming, GA
- Location: 34.2061° N, 84.1338° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cumming, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2061&lon=-84.1338&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA203

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - previous damage (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT CROSSED A HIGHWAY AFTER TAKING OFF, ENTERED A LEFT TURN, DESCENDED & PULLED BACK UP, THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL & CRASHED. ONE WITNESS INDICATED THAT THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN PRIOR TO CRASHING. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED EVIDENCE THAT THE RIGHT ENG WAS PROVIDING POWER. THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND IN A FEATHERED POSITION, BUT THE COCKPIT CONTROLS WERE NOT POSITIONED TO FEATHER THE LEFT PROP. AN EXAM OF THE LEFT ENG REVEALED THAT THE #5 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE FATIGUE HAD ORIGINATED IN AN AREA WHERE THE ROD HAD BEEN BENT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS COLUMN BENDING OF THE ROD (POSSIBLY FROM A HYDROSTATIC LOCK). THE LEFT PRIMER WAS FOUND BROKEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N231 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Camair Aircraft Corp. 480
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: I-067
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-B 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frederick W. Patterson, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1984, 4 hours before
- Departed: 6GA0
- Destination: 5GA4, WOODSTOCK, GA
- Airport: Downing

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 11 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 16 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 19840620025859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840620025859A), Jun 20, 1984: Camair 480, Cumming, GA, Destroyed. Left engine thru a rod after piston siezed on climbout. Stalled and spun in. Engine installed after long storage.

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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