# NTSB ATL84MA063: Piper PA-34-200T, N66MZ, Lawrenceburg, TN, December 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1983, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Lawrenceburg, TN
- Coordinates: 35.239807, -87.329681 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2398&lon=-87.3297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84MA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84MA063

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE DESCENT AT LAWRENCEBURG THE ACFT WENT INTO CLOUDS AT 3500 FT. AT 1709 THE ACFT WAS CLEARED FOR AN NDB APPROACH. MINIMUM ALT FOR THE APPROACH IS 1560 FT. FIELD ELEVATION IS 936 FT. THE ACFT WAS BEING TRACKED ON RADAR AND THE LAST CONTACT WAS ABOUT WHERE THE PROCEDURE TURN WOULD BE. THERE WAS NO RADIO TRANSMISSION FROM THE ACFT TO INDICATE ANY TROUBLE. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND ABOUT 10 NM NORTH OF THE ARPT IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT WITH APPARENT ROTATION TO THE LEFT. ALL THE WRECKAGE WAS IN A 60 FT CIRCLE. A REPORTER/PLT HAD HEARD ABOUT THE ACCIDENT AT 1745 AND FLEW TO LAWRENCEBURG. HE MADE THE NDB APPROACH AND NOT BEING VFR AT MDA, HE EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH AND WENT TO MAURY COUNTY ABOUT 20NM NORTH AND LANDED. THE LAWRENCEBURG NDB WAS FLT CHECKED ON 12/14 AND FOUND TO BE SATISFACTORY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N66MZ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7570247
- Airframe hours: 2339
- Engines: CONTINENTAL L/TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jones Oil Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1983, 924 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: 2M2
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 2M2, Lawrenceburg, runway 16, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 530 total, 37 in this make and model, 393 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 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 19831212060309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831212060309A), Dec 12, 1983: Piper PA34200T, Lawrenceburg, TN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control of aircraft while attempting an NDB approach in below minimum weather. Stalled. Evidence of rotation.

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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