# NTSB ATL85FA039: Piper PA-31-350, N27948, Petros, TN, August 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1984, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Petros, TN
- Coordinates: 36.090316, -84.440719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0903&lon=-84.4407&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): 6576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA039

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPARTED FT. LAUDERDALE, FL, ON 8-2-84 AT APRX 0815 EDT FOR CINCINNATI, OH. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON 11-17-84 ON AN UP SLOPE OF BIG FODDER STACK MOUNTAIN. THE ACFT HAD CONTACTED A 25 FT TALL TREE LOCATED 200 FT WEST OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE ONLY KNOWN RADIO CONTACT WAS RECALLED BY THE MONROE COUNTY APRT MANAGER WHO STATED THE PLT RADIOED TO EXCHANGE THE DAY'S GREETING. EXACT WX AT THE ACCIDENT SITE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. HOWEVER, THE APRT MANAGER RECALLED THE HIGH TERRAIN BEING OBSCURED WITH POOR VISIBILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27948](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27948-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 31-7952059 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7952059
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sac Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FXE, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: CINCINNATI, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TSY, 30 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 19840802063569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840802063569A), Aug 2, 1984: Piper PA31350, Petros, TN, Destroyed. Crashed into trees near the crest of a cloud obscured ridge. Purpose of flight unknown. Extra fuel tanks installed.

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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