# NTSB ATL86FA014: Piper PA-34-220T, N8401E, Ocilla, GA, October 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1985, 20:30 local (Oct 31, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Ocilla, GA
- Coordinates: 31.590236, -83.240135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5902&lon=-83.2401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6904/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - level off - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - not issued, pilot in command (cause)
  - radar altimeter - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE SECOND COMPANY AIRCRAFT TO ARRIVE IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT HELD WHILE THE FIRST ATTEMPTED AN NDR APPROACH. AFTER THE FIRST AIRCRAFT MADE A MISSED APPROACH THE PILOT OF THE SECOND AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED THE APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT FLEW INTO THE TREES SEVERAL MILES PRIOR TO REACHING THE AIRPORT. A RADAR ALTIMETER WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT BUT WAS NOT USED. THE PILOT COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS JUST ANOTHER DANG BUZZER AND THERE WERE TOO MANY OF THOSE ALREADY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8401E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8401E-2012-08-06), registration cancelled 2012-08-06, S/N 34-8133135, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t0-360-series) (registry code 41528, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8133135
- Airframe hours: 1812
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI00360KBIA 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Waldron & Walters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1985, 506 hours before
- Departed: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: FZG, FITZGERALD, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FZG, Fitzgerald Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,155 total, 134 in this make and model, 8,001 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMG, 40 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 19851030057339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851030057339A), Oct 30, 1985: Piper PA34220T, Ocilla, GA, Destroyed. Hit trees after descent below safe altitude. Ability to see instruments in diminished lighting in question.

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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