# NTSB ATL86FA034: Piper PA-28-180, N9289J, Dacula, GA, December 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1985, 22:10 local (Dec 2, 1985, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Dacula, GA
- Location: 33.9819° N, 83.9011° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dacula, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9819&lon=-83.9011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6911
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6911/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA034

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES 3.5 MILES FROM THE ARPT DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH IN DENSE FOG. THE APPROACH REQUIRED AN ADF RECEIVER AND THE ACFT DID NOT HAVE ONE. THE MDA ON THE APPROACH WAS 1600 FT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TREES AT 1200 FT MSL. THE ACFT WAS TO HAVE NEW AVIONICS INSTALLED THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AT LAWRENCEVILLE. THE PLT WAS TO LEAVE TOWN THE SAME DAY ON BUSINESS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - minimum descent altitude - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9289J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3374
- Airframe hours: 2835
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: 8a4 Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1985, 140 hours before
- Departed: 8A4, MARIETTA, GA
- Destination: 17A, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 17A, Gwinnett Co., runway 25, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,743 total, 734 in this make and model, 1,623 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 17 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 19851201058489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851201058489A), Dec 1, 1985: Piper PA28180, Dacula, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended into trees while on approach. No adf as required for approach in the aircraft.

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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