# NTSB ATL85FA007: Piper PA-28-151, N32828, Morgantown, NC, October 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1984, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Morgantown, NC
- Coordinates: 35.740127, -81.689361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7401&lon=-81.6894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA007

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, climb - to cruise
  - light condition - daylight
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - light condition - daylight
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

N2553A WAS IN TRAFFIC PATTERN CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. N32828 WAS MANEUVERING BELOW THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND WAS SEEN CLIMBING IN DIRECTION OF N2553A. N32828 WAS FLYING WESTERLY INTO THE SUN. N2553A WAS SEEN IN A SHALLOW LEFT TURN FROM CROSSWIND TO DOWNWIND. THE RIGHT OUTBOARD WING PANEL OF N2553A AND THE LEFT OUTBOARD WING PANEL OF N32828 COLLIDED.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N32828](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32828-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 28-7515253, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7515253
- Airframe hours: 1884
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Warrior 828 Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1984, 77 hours before
- Departed: MORGANTON, NC
- Airport: NC52, Silver Creek, runway 9, 2,900 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N2553A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2553A-2015-03-19), registration cancelled 2015-03-19, S/N 38-78A0754, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0754
- Airframe hours: 1455
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Western Carolina Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1984, 61 hours before
- Airport: NC52, Silver Creek, runway 9, 2,900 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N32828; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 155 total, 2 in the last 90 days
- Pilot, aircraft N2553A; age 24; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19841011075821A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841011075821A), Oct 11, 1984: Piper PA28151, Morgantown, NC, Destroyed. Was seen flying low over place of employment. Made climbing turn into traffic pattern and struck N2553A.
- [Accident 19841011075822A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841011075822A), Oct 11, 1984: Piper PA38112, Morgantown, NC, Destroyed. Turning to a normal downwind, was struck by N32828. Sun may have obscured pilots vision.

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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