# NTSB ATL85FA146: Piper PA-32R-300, N8069C, Dundee, MS, April 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1985, 21:18 local (Apr 23, 1985, 03:18 UTC)
- Place: Dundee, MS
- Coordinates: 34.510238, -90.449691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5102&lon=-90.4497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA146

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in flight weather avoidance assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,spar - failure,total
  - wing,spar - overload
  - flight control,stabilator - failure,total
  - flight control,stabilator - overload

## Analysis

PLT OBTAINED THREE PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFINGS THEN FILED IFR USING AN ASSUMED NAME. ROUTINE COMMUNICATIONS UNTIL 2117 CST WHEN PILOT REPORTED IN A CELL AND SAID HE WANTED TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN. CLEARED FOR RIGHT TURN. RADAR AND COMM CONTACT WITH AIRCRAFT LOST AS PLT INITIATED TURN. WITNESSES HEARD SEVERAL LOUD ENGINES SURGES FOLLOWED BY SOUND OF IMPACT DURING INTENSE THUNDERSTORM. ACFT BROKE UP IN FLIGHT SCATTERING WRECKAGE OVER 3/4 MILE PATH. NO EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS MATERIAL DEFECT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8069C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8069C-2013-01-30), registration cancelled 2013-01-30, S/N 32R-7680077, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (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: 32R7680077
- Airframe hours: 1683
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul A. Shimmon
- Registered owner: Roger S. Lacy & Philip R White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1985, 4 hours before
- Departed: JAN, JACKSON, MS
- Destination: GVW, GRANDVIEW, MO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 525 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark

## 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 19850422015739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850422015739A), Apr 22, 1985: Piper PA32R300, Dundee, MS, Destroyed. Inflight airframe failure after flight into a heavy thunderstorm with no airborne radar. Was trying to turn around.

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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