# NTSB ATL85FA266: Piper PA-28-235-B, N9340W, Rion, SC, September 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1985, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Rion, SC
- Coordinates: 34.370388, -81.080017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3704&lon=-81.0800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA266

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload
  - flight control,stabilator - overload
  - vertical stabilizer surface - distorted
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD BEEN CRUISING AT 10,500 FT FOR SEVERAL MIN AND THEN INFORMED ATC THAT THEY WERE CLIMBING TO 12,500 FT DUE TO VFR. SHORTLY THERE AFTER THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE MAKING AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND LOOKED UP AND SAW THE ACFT FALLING FROM THE SKY AND PARTS FALLING FROM IT. ONE WITNESS CLAIMED TO HAVE SEEN THE ACFT COME OUT OF A CLOUD. A SQUALL LINE AND HEAVY RAIN WERE REPORTED IN THE AREA A SHORT TIME LATER BY PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9340W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235-B (PA-28-235-)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2811026
- Airframe hours: 1892
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dal Mar Avn.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1984, 125 hours before
- Departed: 6J7, DARLINGTON, SC
- Destination: MSL, MUSCLE SHOALS, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total, 125 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 16 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 19850901042139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850901042139A), Sep 1, 1985: Piper PA28235, Rion, SC, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Sustained inflight airframe breakup while climbing in an area of thunderstorms and rain showers.

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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