# NTSB ATL85LA126: Piper PA-32-260, N3744W, Blairsville, GA, March 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1985, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Blairsville, GA
- Coordinates: 34.869251, -83.950904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8693&lon=-83.9509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA126

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED UNFAVORABLE WINDS & RAIN, THEN BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FUEL SUPPLY. HE DIVERTED TO BLAIRSVILLE & WAS LANDING WHEN A GUST OF WIND BLEW THE ACFT SIDE WAYS. THE PLT RE-ALIGNED THE ACFT WITH THE RWY, BUT IT SUDDENLY DROPPED & LANDED HARD. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT SLID OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3744W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3744W-1989-11-03), registration cancelled 1989-11-03, S/N 32658 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-658
- Airframe hours: 2350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Verne P. Anker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AID, ANDERSON, IN
- Destination: AHN, ATHENS, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 46A, Blairsville, runway 25, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 282 total, 14 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVS, 58 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 19850330010149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850330010149A), Mar 30, 1985: Piper PA32260, Blairsville, GA, Substantial damage. After correcting for drift and realigning aircraft with runway, aircraft stalled collapsing left main gear.

## Other investigations on N3744W (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI83LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA330), Jul 24, 1983: Piper PA-32-260 (N3744W), Demotte, IN, substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA68F0175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68F0175), Mar 10, 1968: Piper PA-32 (N3744W), Fayetteville, NC, substantial damage

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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