# NTSB ATL84FA286: Piper 602P, N6897L, Dayton, TN, September 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1984, 10:08 local (14:08 UTC)
- Place: Dayton, TN
- Coordinates: 35.490051, -85.010818 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4901&lon=-85.0108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA286

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON ARRIVAL AT DESTINATION, PLT FOUND AIRPORT OBSCURED BY FOG, REPORTED BY UNICOM AS 1 MI VISIBILITY. PLT CIRCLED TO AWAIT IMPROVEMENT. 15 MIN LATER, VISIBILITY IMPROVED TO 1-1/2 MI. ACFT OBSERVED BRIEFLY THROUGH BREAKS, THEN HEARD MANUVERING TO NORTH AND SEEN ONCE ON APPROXIMATE DOWNWIND HDG. ACFT HEARD APPROACHING AIRPORT THEN APPEARED IN DIVING LEFT TURN BELOW FOG AND TO RIGHT OF RUNWAY BEFORE IMPACT. APPROVED NDB/VOR DME/RNAV APPROACHES TO AIRPORT HAVE 700 FT CEILING MINIMUM. ACFT FOUND CONFIGURED FOR LANDING. NO RECORD OF REQUEST FOR INSTRUMENT APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6897L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6897L-1986-03-13), registration cancelled 1986-03-13, S/N 62P-0932-8165055 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 602P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 602P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-602p) (registry code 7106014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 629328165055
- Airframe hours: 676
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AA15 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Buss Automation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1983, 197 hours before
- Departed: MRN, LENOIR, NC
- Airport: 2A0, Mark Anton, runway 3, 4,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 30 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 19840914048389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840914048389A), Sep 14, 1984: Piper PA60602P, Dayton, TN, Destroyed. Pilot attempted to land VFR during poor visibility. Impacted ground in left turn toward runway threshold.

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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