# NTSB ATL85FA061: Piper PA-28-161, N6077H, Glasgow, KY, December 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1984, 21:45 local (Dec 20, 1984, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Glasgow, KY
- Coordinates: 36.98962, -85.920555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9896&lon=-85.9206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6585/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA061

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED ONE MI SHORT OF RWY 07 AT GLASGOW MUNICIPAL AIRPORT WHILE ON SDF RWY 07 INST APP. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACTUAL ACCIDENT OTHER THEN THE SURVIVING PASSENGER WHO STATED THAT THE PLT HAD ASKED HER TO LOOK FOR THE RWY LIGHTS. SHE STATED THAT BOTH SHE & THE PLT SAW THE LIGHTS JUST PRIOR TO SEEING THE TREES. THE AIRPORT MANAGER STATED THAT THE CLOUDS WERE BETWEEN 300 & 500 FT, WITH LIGHT RAIN & FOG. THE PUBLISHED MINIMUMS FOR THE APPROACH BEING FLOWN WERE 400 FT CEILING & ONE MI VISIBILITY. IMPACT OCCURRED FIRST WITH A 13 IN DIAMETER TREE AT ABOUT 20 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6077H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816218
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-Q3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Whiton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 8, 1984
- Departed: CROSSVILLE, TN
- Destination: GLASGOW, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GLW, Glasgow Muni, runway 7, 4,000 × 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, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWG, 28 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 19841219069299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841219069299A), Dec 19, 1984: Piper PA28161, Glasgow, KY, Destroyed. Aircraft descended into trees on IFR approach. Impacted ground and burned.

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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