# NTSB ATL86FA010: Piper PA-34-220T, N8132L, Hamilton, AL, October 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1985, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, AL
- Coordinates: 34.139282, -87.980712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1393&lon=-87.9807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA010

## 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 evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded
  - flight control,stabilator - overload
  - wing - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT 1450 CDT, WHILE THE PLT WAS CRUISING AT 11,000', ARTCC BROADCAST INFO CONCERNING SIGMET 17C, WARNING PLTS OF THUNDER-STORMS WITH TOPS TO FL 450. AT 1613, RADAR DATA SHOWED THE ACFT AT 11,300'. WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS ALT, THE PLT REPLIED HE WAS IN A CELL & WOULD BE RETURNING TO HIS ALT OF 11,000'. HE DID NOT REQUEST ASSISTANCE. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, RADAR DATA SHOWED THE ACFT HAD LOST 1000', THEN THE DISPLAY WENT INTO A COAST TRACK. LATER, THE WRECKAGE WAS FND SCATTERED OVER AN AREA APRX 1 MI LONG & 1/4 MI WIDE. THE WINGS & STABILATORS HAD SEPARATED DURING AN IN-FLT BREAKUP. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE WINGS HAD FAILED FROM POSITIVE OVERLOADS. NO PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. THE PLT'S BODY WAS FND AT 0737 CDT ON 10/24/85. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.031%, BUT THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL DUE TO PUTREFACTION WAS NOT VERIFIED. A WX SUMMARY SHOWED THE ACFT WAS IN THE VICINITY OF A VERY STRONG WX ECHO WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE & UP/DOWNDRAFTS IN THE THUNDERSTORM BELOW 20,000'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8132L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8233094
- Airframe hours: 1208
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bertrand J. Marlier, Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 5DF, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Destination: DOTHAN, AL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 770 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19851023052959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851023052959A), Oct 23, 1985: Piper PA34220T, Hamilton, AL, Destroyed. Judgement impaired by alcohol. Flew into area of severe turbulence and thunderstorms. Inflight airframe failure.

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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