# NTSB ATL86FA026: Piper PA-23-250, N123TT, Chester, SC, November 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1985, 08:18 local (13:18 UTC)
- Place: Chester, SC
- Coordinates: 34.699851, -81.209686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6999&lon=-81.2097&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): 6907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA026

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper decision, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE ESTIMATED THE GROUND VISIBILITY TO BE 100 YDS OR LESS. THE INSTRUMENT RATED PLT ON THE 32 NM FLT HAD NOT FILED A FLT PLAN EVEN THOUGH HE HAD OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING FROM FSS. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE STEEL CABLES ATOP STEEL TRANSMISSION LINE TOWERS, ROLLED UPSIDE DOWN AND CAME TO A STOP IN AN INVERTED, 40 DEGREES NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123TT-1993-04-23), registration cancelled 1993-04-23, S/N 274247 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-4247
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James T. Triplett, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 8A6, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Destination: 9A6, CHESTER, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; 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

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 28 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 19851118057629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851118057629A), Nov 18, 1985: Piper PA23250, Chester, SC, Destroyed. Struck steel ground cables atop transmission line tower near destination airport in very poor visibility.

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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