# NTSB ATL86FA137: Piper PA-34-200T, N2850S, Valdosta, GA, May 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1986, 05:15 local (09:15 UTC)
- Place: Valdosta, GA
- Coordinates: 30.839902, -83.269531 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8399&lon=-83.2695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - delayed
  - flare - not attained

## Analysis

THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT DID NOT FEATHER THE PROPELLER. A TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS FLOWN WITH THE AIRCRAFT IN A CONTINUOUS DESCENT. INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINED TO MANEUVER THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RUNWAY, SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON LEVEL GROUND NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. JUST BEFORE LANDING, HE EXTENDED THE GEAR, THEN THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD WHICH SHEARED OFF THE LANDING GEAR. NO FUEL WAS FOUND FORWARD OF THE FIRE WALL IN THE FUEL LINE TO THE LEFT ENGINE. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN STARVATION OF FUEL TO THE LEFT ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2850S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2850S-1988-07-20), registration cancelled 1988-07-20, S/N 347970287 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7970287
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-EB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Taxi South, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: VLD
- Destination: SARASOTA, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: VLD, Valdosta, runway 35, 6,302 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,300 total, 27 in this make and model, 17,100 as pilot in command, 189 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VLD, 1 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 19860521021119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860521021119A), May 21, 1986: Piper PA34200T, Valdosta, GA, Substantial damage. Left engine quit on takeoff. Propeller not feathered. Allowed aircraft to stall. Mismanaged the fuel system.

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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