# NTSB ATL86FA120: Piper PA-28-160, N5258W, Winton, NC, April 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1986, 03:47 local (07:47 UTC)
- Place: Winton, NC
- Coordinates: 36.499195, -76.759941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4992&lon=-76.7599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA120

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE THE FLT, THE STUDENT PLT & PASSENGERS HAD BEEN SOCIALIZING & DRINKING BEER. AT APRX 0200 EDT, WHILE AT A FRIEND'SHOME NEAR MURFREESBORO, NC, THEY DECIDED TO GO FLYING. AT ABOUT 0300, AN ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO FLY OVER THE FRIEND'S HOME AT LOW ALT, THEN IT DEPARTED THE AREA & DID NOT RETURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED NEAR WINTON, NC & WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED DURING IMPACT. THE NEEDLE OF THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS PRESSED AGAINST THE INSTRUMENT FACE AT 142 MPH. ALSO, THE ACFT'S CLOCK WAS DAMAGED & HAD STOPPED AT 0347. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE PLANE WAS IN A 22 DEG DIVE WITH ABOUT A 30 DEG RGT BANK WHEN IT CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FND; HOWEVER, THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR REPAIR. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 90 MG% (0.090%), COCAINE LVL OF 0.09 MG% & BENZOYLECGONINE LVL OF 0.11 MG%. THE PLT HAD ONLY ABOUT 3 HRS OF NIGHT FLYING TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5258W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5258W-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 28-303, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-303
- Airframe hours: 1827
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anthony C. Francis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1985, 87 hours before
- Departed: ASJ, AHOSKIE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 78 total, 70 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ECG, 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 19860429015149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860429015149A), Apr 29, 1986: Piper PA28160, Winton, NC, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck a tree and impacted ground at night. No artificial horizon in aircraft. Student pilot intoxicated.

## Other investigations on N5258W (1)

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.

- [NTSB IAD70F0058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD70F0058), Aug 18, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N5258W), Charlotte, NC, substantial damage

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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