# NTSB ATL85LA073: Piper PA-30, N7589Y, Sparta, TN, December 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1984, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, TN
- Coordinates: 35.929145, -85.469116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9291&lon=-85.4691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA073

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DUAL ENGINE STOPPAGE. FUEL TANKS TOPPED BEFORE TAKEOFF. PLT HAD FILED IFR EN ROUTE BUT THE WIND HAD SHIFTED TO A 30 KT HEADWIND. PLT BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT FUEL REMAINING AND MADE AN INSTRUMENT APCH WHICH WAS MISSED BECAUSE OF LOW CLOUDS. DURING COURSE TO AN ALTERNATE, THE LEFT ENGINE QUIT. DURING VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT THE RIGHT ENGINE QUIT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT SAID THE ENGINE STOPPAGE SOUNDED LIKE FUEL STARVATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7589Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7589Y-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 30-656, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-656
- Airframe hours: 7000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-BIA 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Robinson J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1984
- Departed: ROC, ROCHESTER, NY
- Destination: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,137 total, 194 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSV, 23 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 19841230068969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841230068969A), Dec 30, 1984: Piper PA30, Sparta, TN, Substantial damage. Missed approach due to low ceiling. Ran out of fuel en route to alternate. Vectors to nearest airport, struck trees

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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