# NTSB ATL84MA148: Piper PA-34-220T, N8443H, Mt Airy, GA, April 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1984, 08:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Mt Airy, GA
- Coordinates: 34.509494, -83.499046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5095&lon=-83.4990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84MA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6567/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84MA148

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, atc personnel(artcc) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - weather observation - not issued, atc personnel(artcc) (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command
  - safety advisory - not issued, atc personnel(artcc) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG ARRIVAL, THE PLT REQD & RCVD CLNC TO FLY DRCT TO THE UNCTLD ARPT, ALTHO THE ARPT HAD NO TERMINAL NAV FAC & THE ACFT HAD NO RNAV TYPE EQUIP. NRBY AT ATHENS, THE 0745 SPL WX OBS WAS IN PART: INDEF CIG, SKY OBSCD, VSBY 1/4 MI WITH FOG. AT 0801, ATL CTR CLRD THE PLT TO INTERCEPT THE TOCCOA 229 RADIAL & PROCEED INBND VIA THE VOR/DME RWY 6 APCH, & WHEN ON THE RADIAL, TO DSCND & MAINT 4000 FT. THE PLT WAS CLRD FOR THE APCH, & AT 0803, BFR RCHG THE IAF ON THE 33 MI DME ARC, HE WAS ADVISED THE ARPT WAS 1 MI OFF HIS RGT WING. THE ACFT TRACKED OUTBND IN THE VCNTY OF THE 229 RADIAL, THEN TURNED BACKTWD THE ARPT. HOWEVER, IT NEVER GOT ESTABLISHED INBND ON THE RADIAL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TRACKED RGT OF COURSE & HIT TREES ON RISING TRRN APRX 3.25 MI EAST OF THE ARPT AT 1660 FT MSL. THE MDA FOR THE APCH WAS 1920 FT. AN EAR WITNESS SAIDTHE VSBY WAS 40 TO 50 FT WITH DENSE FOG. MINS FOR THE APCH WERE 500 FT CIG & 1 MI VSBY. ATL CTR HAD A SHIFT CHANGE AS THE ACFT ARRIVED. IT DID NOT ADVISE RADAR SVC TERMINATED NOR ADVISE OF WX DRG THE APCH. PLT'S 1ST APCH TO THIS ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8443H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8133251
- Airframe hours: 627
- Engines: CONTINENTAL L/TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul E. Bleile Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 1983, 82 hours before
- Departed: OH21, NORWALK, OH
- Destination: 50A, CORNELIA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 50A, Habersham County, runway 6, 3,750 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; 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: 1,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 45 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 19840423014049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840423014049A), Apr 23, 1984: Piper PA34200T, Mt Airy, GA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Unable to execute instrument approach properly, wandered off course. Struck trees. Weather below landing minimums.

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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