# NTSB ATL84FA222: Piper PA-32R-300, N400WS, Rock Hill, SC, July 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1984, 23:07 local (Jul 18, 1984, 03:07 UTC)
- Place: Rock Hill, SC
- Location: 34.9249° N, 81.0251° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rock Hill, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9249&lon=-81.0251&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED IN A POST FLT FIRE AFTER A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT IN A PRIVATE YARD. THE ENGINE HAD SURGED AND LOST POWER DURING THE DESCENT THROUGH 4500 FT PRIOR TO LANDING. THE ACFT HAD BEEN WRITTEN UP FOR SLUGGISHNESS AND LACK OF RESPONSE TO THROTTLE UPON ARRIVAL AT MONTGOMERY. MONTGOMERY AVIATION DID SOME MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND MADE A COMMENT ABOUT SUSPECTING FUEL INJECTORS. THEY STATED THEY ADVISED THE PLT OF THE SITUATION BUT NO WRITTEN STATEMENT WAS PROVIDEDTO SUPPORT THIS. EXANIMATION OF THE ACFT WRECKAGE SHOWED WATER IN THE FUEL LINES AND DISTRIBUTOR UNIT. THE PLT SAID HIS PRACTICE WAS TO DRAIN THE SUMPS AFTER REFUELING AND NOT DURING PRE-FLT WHEN HE ONLY 'CHECKS THE FUEL LEVEL.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N400WS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N400WS), registered now, S/N 31T-8166044, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T2](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t2) (registry code 7103127) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-135a) (registry code 52260, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680425
- Airframe hours: 5835
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Saber Aviation,Inc.
- Registered owner: Virginia R. Yearwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1984, 21 hours before
- Departed: FTY, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,148 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 13 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 19840717039579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840717039579A), Jul 17, 1984: Piper PA32R300, Rock Hill, SC, Destroyed. Engine surged and failed. Crashed near residence. Found water in fuel. Irregularities in maintenance records.

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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