# NTSB ATL84LA096: Piper PA-28-140, N5546F, Oak Grove, VA, February 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1984, 15:58 local (20:58 UTC)
- Place: Oak Grove, VA
- Coordinates: 38.249889, -76.970024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2499&lon=-76.9700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA096

## 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
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND IN IMC WEATHER. THE PLT HAD TAKEN OFF ABOUT 10 MINUTES EARLIER AND WHEN FOG ROLLED IN HE TRIED TO LAND. AFTER ONE GO-AROUND HE MADE A 2ND APPROACH AND DESCENDED TO 75 FT AGL TO OBTAINBETTER VISIBILITY AND COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORT OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5546F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24945
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glen M. Leite
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: W20
- Airport: W20, Harbor View, runway 15, 2,565 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Observed at: W20

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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