# NTSB ATL85FA242: Piper PA-28-180, N7475W, Abbeville, SC, August 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1985, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Abbeville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.170337, -82.370925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1703&lon=-82.3709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA242

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - attempted, flight instructor(on ground)
  - maneuver - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES & THE GROUND AFTER GOING INTO A LEFT TURN DURING A GO-AROUND INITIATED AFTER A BOUNCY LANDING. AFTER POWER WAS ADDED FOR THE GO-AROUND THE ACFT SEEMED TO BE UNCONTROLLED SO THAT THE CFI ON THE GROUND, WHO HAD JUST EXITED THE ACFT AFTER SEVERAL LANDINGS, USED A HAND-HELD RADIO TO TELL THE STUDENT PLT TO LEVEL HIS WINGS. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACFT WHICH CONTINUED TO TURN INTO THE TREES. AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED ON THE PLT AFTER THE ACC SHOWED THAT THE HEART ATTACK HAD OCCURRED AND IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE INCAPACITATED THE PLT JUST AFTER THE GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7475W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7475W-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 28-1384, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1384
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas C. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 3, 1984
- Departed: A03, ABBEVILLE, SC
- Airport: A03, Davis Field, runway 8, 2,240 × 40 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARD, 27 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 19850809037769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850809037769A), Aug 9, 1985: Piper PA28180, Abbeville, SC, Destroyed. Ballooned on landing. Went around. Descended in a turn into trees, burned. Had severe coronary atherosclerosis.

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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