# NTSB ATL86FA102: North American NA219 (T28B), N544E, Luthersville, GA, March 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1986, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Luthersville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.200393, -84.740943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2004&lon=-84.7409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB STRAIGHT OUT TOAN ALT OF ABOUT 500-700 FT. IT THEN TURNED TO A NORTHERLY HEADING. AFTER A SHORT TIME ON THE NORTHERLY HDG, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO INITIATED A LEFT AILERON OR BARREL ROLL, DISHOUT AND END UP ON AN EASTERLY HDG IN A STEEP DIVE. THE ACFT WENT FROM SIGHT OF THESE WITNESSES BEHIND THE TREE LINE STILL IN A DIVE. THEY STATED THAT THE ROLL MANEUVER WAS INITIATED AT A HEIGHT OF 500-700 FT. WITNESSES AT THE CRASH SITE STATED THAT THEY FIRST SAW THE AIRCRAFT AT A LOW ALT IN A DESCENT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING 'REAL LOUD'. IT STRUCK TREES AND A UTILITY POLE AND PARTS STARTED COMING OFF. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE PROFESSIONAL AIR CARRIER AIR CREW EMPLOYEES. AND IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHICH OCCUPANT WAS THE SOLE MANIPULATOR OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N544E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN NA219 (T28B) (NA219 (T28)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: (140007)2196
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-86 1425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randall Porter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 30, 1985
- Departed: IGA2, LUTHERSVILLE, GA
- Airport: IGA2, Flying N

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 32 nm away

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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