# NTSB ATL85FA165: Piper PA-28-161, N8289H, Milledgeville, GA, May 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1985, 08:51 local (12:51 UTC)
- Place: Milledgeville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.079162, -83.229804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0792&lon=-83.2298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6610
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6610/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT LEFT HOME AIRPORT AT 0400. FLT PLAN LEFT WITH FBO INDICATED 6 HOURS TO DESTINATION, NO EN ROUTE STOPS, AND 4+30 HOURS FUEL ON BOARD. FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATED, 4+36 HOURS ENDURANCE AVAILABLE. ACFT FLEW 4+47 HOURS. THE PILOT TOLD APPROACH CONTROL ACFT WAS FLYING ON FLUMES ABOUT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT NOR SPILLED ON THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8289H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8289H-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 28-8116073, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288116073
- Airframe hours: 2234
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gardens Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985, 42 hours before
- Departed: PBI, WEST PALM BCH, FL
- Destination: RKW, ROCKWOOD, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 157 total, 47 in this make and model, 92 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 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 19850518018219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850518018219A), May 18, 1985: Piper PA28161, Milledgeville, GA, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines and crashed in a parking lot after fuel exhaustion. Planned 6 hour trip with 4 1/2 hrs. Of fuel.

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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