# NTSB ATL84LA153: Piper PA-34-200, N1027U, Smyrna, TN, April 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1984, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Smyrna, TN
- Location: 35.9675° N, 86.5253° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Smyrna, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9675&lon=-86.5253&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA153

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper alignment - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE CFI SIMULATED AN ENGINE FAILURE ON THE RIGHT ENGINE DURING TAKEOFF AFTER HAVING SIMULATED A LEFT ENGINE FAILURE DURING THE LANDING APPROACH. THE LEFT ENGINE FAILURE WAS SIMULATED WITH THE LEFT THROTTLE RETARDED DURING THE APPROACH AND LANDING. AFTER THE THROTTLES WERE ADVANCED FOR TAKEOFF THE CFI SIMULATED RIGHT ENGINE FAILURE AT 85 MPH BY USING THEMIXTURE TO IDLE CUT OFF. WHEN THE STUDENT RESPONDED BY CLOSING BOTH THROTTLES TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD. MIXTURES AND THROTTLES WERE THEN REPORTEDLY ADVANCED AND THE ACFT CLIMBED TO 100 FT AT 100 MPH. A WITNESS REPORTED THE ACFT WITH THE RIGHT WING HIGH, DRIFTING LEFT, AND THEN SUDDENLY LEVELING THE WINGS AND NOSE DOWN TO GROUND CONTACT. THE CFI SAID HE TOOK OVER AT 85 MPH AS THE ACFT TURNED LEFT, ROLLED BOTH WINGS LEVEL, CLOSED BOTH THROTTLES AND LANDED OFF THE RWY. THE LANDING GEAR WAS COMING UP AT TOUCHDOWN. THE CFI THOUGHT THE LEFT ENGINE MAY HAVE LOADED UP AND NOT RESPONDED DURING THE LAST TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1027U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1027U-2002-07-05), registration cancelled 2002-07-05, S/N 34-7250007, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7250007
- Airframe hours: 2621
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Corporate Flight Managementinc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 1983, 35 hours before
- Airport: MOY, Smyrna, runway 32, 8,037 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,230 total, 70 in this make and model, 3,060 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 15 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 19840428014889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840428014889A), Apr 28, 1984: Piper PA34200, Smyrna, TN, Substantial damage. Indicates aircraft got below VMC as power was reduced on left engine on takeoff. CFI unable to avoid a crash.

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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