# NTSB ATL85FA256: Piper PA-31T, N600CM, Flat Rock, NC, August 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1985, 21:55 local (Aug 24, 1985, 01:55 UTC)
- Place: Flat Rock, NC
- Coordinates: 35.270626, -82.439956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2706&lon=-82.4400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA256

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - ifr procedure - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT HIT NORTHWEST SIDE OF RIDGE IN LEVEL ATTITUDE,CRUISE SPEED,HEADING SOUTHEAST.CONDITIONS WERE DARK NIGHT AND THE CLOUD CEILING WAS ABOUT 40 FEET ABOVE THE RIDGE.PILOT RECEIVED WX BRIEF BEFORE TAKE OFF AND EN ROUTE WHICH REPORTED A CEILING OF 10,000 FEET AT DESTINATION.ACFT WAS FLOWN AT 17,500 FEET EN ROUTE.PIC RADIOED GSP APPROACH CONTROL.SAID HE WAS VFR FOR LANDING,PASSING 6000 FEET.TWO WAY COMM NOT ESTABLISHED BUT DISCRETE TX CODE ASSIGNED. CONTROLLER SAW TX CODE CHANGE NW OF CRASH SITE THEN RADAR TARGET DISAPPEARED AT ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N600CM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N600CM-1985-10-31), registration cancelled 1985-10-31, S/N 31T-7720024 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T7720024
- Airframe hours: 4077
- Engines: P&W PT-6A-28 715 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hubert Van Pittman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 1985, 53 hours before
- Departed: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Destination: GSP, GREER, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 12 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 19850823040109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850823040109A), Aug 23, 1985: Piper PA31T, Flat Rock, NC, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Descended into mountainous terrain impacting a ridge. IFR conditions due to cloud height. Burned after night impact

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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