# NTSB ATL85LA249: Piper PA-28-181, N47994, Yanceyville, NC, August 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1985, 23:55 local (Aug 17, 1985, 03:55 UTC)
- Place: Yanceyville, NC
- Coordinates: 36.400749, -79.339881 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4007&lon=-79.3399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA249

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT FLEW INTO KNOW ADVERSE WX CONDITIONS. WHILE RECEIVING VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, THE ENG LOST POWER DUR TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD NEAR A PRIVATE RESIDENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47994](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47994-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N 287890167 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7890167
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy D. Harris, doing business as Harris Flying Service
- Registered owner: Roy D. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SYI, SHELBYVILLE, TN
- Destination: RWI, ROCKY MOUNT, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 35 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 19850816042049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850816042049A), Aug 16, 1985: Piper PA28181, Yanceyville, NC, Substantial damage. While being vectored after encountering forecast IFR conditions. VFR pilot ran out of fuel.

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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