# NTSB ATL86FA007: Piper PA-34-200T, N1944H, Charleston, SC, October 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1985, 09:09 local (13:09 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, SC
- Location: 32.7766° N, 79.9309° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Charleston, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7766&lon=-79.9309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA007

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object (contributing factor)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - suicide - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - motivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - emotional reaction, pilot in command (cause)
  - interpersonal relations, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED ON RADAR AS IT APPROACHED THE JOINT CIVIL - MILITARY AIRPORT. IT PASSED OVER NEAR THE CENTER OF THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL. THERE WAS NO REPORTED COMMUNICATION WITH THE AIRCRAFT. SEVERAL SIGHTING PLACED THE AIRCRAFT UNDER AT LEAST ONE BRIDGE AS IT BUZZED SEVERAL SHIPS AND TUGS. THE AIRCRAFT ALSO FLEW LOW OVER A SECTION OF THE BASE WHERE THE PILOT HAD FORMERLY WORKED AND HE DROPPED OUT AT LEAST ONE FLARE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED AS IT LINED UP ON THE ABANDONED FUEL STORAGE TANK AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF IT. BOTH ENGINES WERE RUNNING AND THERE WAS NO KNOWN OR REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE AIRCRAFT. RULED A SUICIDE BY THE MED EXAMINER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1944H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1944H-1989-01-03), registration cancelled 1989-01-03, S/N 347770159 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-770159
- Airframe hours: 1641
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Goldsboro-Wayne Aviation
- Registered owner: Wtc, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1984, 200 hours before
- Departed: GWW, GOLDSBORO, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,077 total, 941 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS, 7 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 19851018052619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851018052619A), Oct 18, 1985: Piper PA34200T, Charleston, SC, Destroyed. Buzzed ships, flew under bridges, struck powerline, impacted storage tank. Ruled a suicide after killing wife.

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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