# NTSB ATL85FA197: Piper PA-42, N542TW, Charlotte, NC, June 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1985, 01:48 local (05:48 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte, NC
- Coordinates: 35.230457, -80.840461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2305&lon=-80.8405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA197

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND A POLE SHORT OF THE RWY DURING A NIGHT VFR APPROACH TO LAND. THE PLT CHANGED FROM RWY 18 TO 36 DURING THE APPROACH. HE WAS SEEN LOW & FAST ON DWNWIND WHICH ENDED IN A STEEP DESCENDING TURN TO GROUND CONTACT. THE TWR HAD OVERIED THE PLT DURING THE INITIAL APPROACH BECAUSE OF HIS SPEED AND HIGH ALTITUDE. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE WOULD BE DOWN AND REQUESTED A CHANGE OF RWY. THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS FROM 150 DEGREES AT 7 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N542TW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-42
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 42-8001052
- Airframe hours: 1516
- Engines: P&W PT6A-41 720 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Atlanta Air Service
- Registered owner: First Security Bank Of Utah
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 19, 1985, 51 hours before
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORY, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CLT, Charlotte Douglas Int'L, runway 36R, 7,845 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 1 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 19850628028619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850628028619A), Jun 28, 1985: Piper PA42, Charlotte, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Hit tree, utility pole then ground in low, fast turn to final. Pilot noted for fast steep turns in traffic pattern.

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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