# NTSB ATL85FA055: Piper PA-32-300, N5211S, Burlington, KY, December 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1984, 19:31 local (Dec 14, 1984, 00:31 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, KY
- Coordinates: 39.020057, -84.720115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0201&lon=-84.7201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA055

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - comm/nav equipment,localizer receiver - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - navigation receiver - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT FERRIED VFR BY OWNER. RADIOS REPAIRED BEFORE DEPARTURE, GLIDE SLOPE RECEIVER FOUND INOP. AT FUEL STOP WX WAS FORECAST IFR FOR DESTINATION. AN IFR INSTRUCTOR WAS THEN HIRED FOR THE REMAINING FLT. OWNER SHOWED WORK ORDER TO CFI WHO INCORRECTLY CONCLUDED THAT THE GLIDE SLOPE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. CFI RECALLED WX WAS FORECAST AS 600 FT CEILING AT DESTINATION. NO RECORD FOUND OF HAVING RECEIVED CURRENT WX OF 200 FT CEILING, 1-1/4 MI VIS PRIOR TO APCH. CFI STATED A 500 FPM DESCENT AT 90 KTS WAS USED FOR THE APCH. HE REPORTED FLYING THE ILS RWY 36 APCH AND POINTED OUT TO THE OWNER THAT THE LOCALIZER AND GLIDE SLOPE NEEDLES WERE CENTERED WHEN 2 MILES FROM THE RWY. POST CRASH TEST OF THE GLIDE SLOPE RECEIVER SHOWED IT WAS STILL INOPERATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5211S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5211S-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 32-40903, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40903
- Airframe hours: 1679
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ray Adams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1984, 25 hours before
- Departed: 0M5, WAVERLY, TN
- Destination: CVG, CINCINNATI, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CVG, Greater Cincinnatti Arpt, runway 36, 9,501 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 610 total, 391 as pilot in command, 179 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CVG, 75 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 19841213070369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841213070369A), Dec 13, 1984: Piper PA32300, Burlington, KY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with ground on approach. Glideslope inoperative. Pitot static and altimeter check overdue.

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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