# NTSB ATL85FA179: Piper PA-28-140, N8704N, Kennesaw, GA, June 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1985, 23:35 local (Jun 3, 1985, 03:35 UTC)
- Place: Kennesaw, GA
- Coordinates: 34.020519, -84.610153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0205&lon=-84.6102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight manuals - poor, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PLT AND HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW ADDED 20 GALLONS OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL TO THE ACFT FUEL TANKS. THE LEVEL OF THE FUEL, ACCORDING TO THE BROTHER-IN-LAW, WAS BELOW THE FILLER NECK TABS. AFTER ABOUT THREE HRS OF FLT THE PLT RADIOED A MAYDAY AND STATED THAT HE WAS OUT OF FUEL. THE ACFT STRUCK TREES LESS THAN TWO MILES FROM MCCOLLUM ARPT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8704N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8704N-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 28-25525, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25525
- Airframe hours: 7567
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Massie/Sammy Bereznak
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: I28, ASHLAND, KY
- Destination: FTY, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 181 total, 136 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 10 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 19850602021649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850602021649A), Jun 2, 1985: Piper PA28140, Kennesaw, GA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Struck trees during forced landing at night due to fuel exhaustion. Tanks were not filled to tabs before flight.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.