# NTSB ATL84LA070: Piper PA-28-181, N2767M, Waverly, KY, December 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1983, 18:00 local (Dec 21, 1983, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Waverly, KY
- Coordinates: 37.700565, -87.810028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7006&lon=-87.8100&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): 6399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6399/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT 8 MI FROM HIS DESTINATION THE PLT ENCOUNTERED FREEZING RAIN. HE DECIDED TO RETRIEVE A FLASHLIGHT FROM HIS BRIEFCASE IN THE BACK SEAT TO USE IN CHECKING FOR ICE ON THE WINGS & IN CONSULTING HIS CHARTS. WHILE LEANING OVER THE BACK SEAT, THE PLT LOST HIS GLASSES & WAS UNABLE TO FIND THEM. HE STATED THAT WITHOUT HIS GLASSES, HE WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY DISTINGUISH HIS INSTRUMENTS & AVIONICS. HE WAS AWARE OF SEVERAL RADIO TOWERS EXTENDING 800 FT AGL BETWEEN HIS LOCATION & HIS DESTINATION. HOWEVER, HE WOULD LOSE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND ABOVE 500 FT AGL. THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD & DURING ROLLOUT THE ACFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK A FENCE & THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP INA DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2767M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2767M), registered now, S/N 28-7890266, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7890266
- Airframe hours: 2085
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A47 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1983, 190 hours before
- Departed: RCR, ROCHESTER, IN
- Destination: I05, STURGIS, KY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,226 total, 23 in this make and model, 1,201 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EVV, 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 19831220062169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831220062169A), Dec 20, 1983: Piper PA28181, Waverly, KY, Substantial damage. Encountered freezing rain en route. Lost glasses in dark. Elected to land on a road. Struck a fence on the rollout.

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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