# NTSB ATL86FA208: Piper PA-60-600, N3643Q, Raleigh, NC, July 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1986, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Raleigh, NC
- Coordinates: 35.829212, -78.830894 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8292&lon=-78.8309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ISSUED RWY 5, 7,500', FOR IFR DEPARTURE WITH FAVORING 4 KT QUARTERING HEADWIND. PLT REQUESTED RWY 14, 4,498', FOR TAKEOFF WITH A 4 KT QUARTERING TAILWIND. GROUND WITNESS AND CONTROL TOWER OBSERVED ACFT USE NEARLY ALL OF THE RWY ON TAKEOFF ROLL. AFTER AN ABRUPT ROTATION, THE CONTROLLER OBSERVED ACFT YAW TO LEFT AND MAKE A LOW ALT LEFT TURN. SECONDS LATER THE ACFT RAPIDLY DESCENDED INTO TREES AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS FOUND IN THE FEATHERED POSITION AND THE LEFT ENGINE WAS CONSUMED BY A GROUND FIRE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE TIME SMOH WAS 43 HRS. WITNESS HEARD THE ACFT TAKEOFF WITH A SERIES OF LOUD BACKFIRES 25 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. INJECTOR NOZZLES ON THE RIGHT ENGINE WERE LEANED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AFTER 6 HRS OF OPERATION ONE WEEK LATER. THE PLTS LOG FAILED TO SHOW ANY RECENT TRAINING IN SINGLE ENGINE PROCEDURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3643Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3643Q-1988-12-16), registration cancelled 1988-12-16, S/N 6008368161239 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-600
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-600) (registry code 7106001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 600836816123
- Airframe hours: 2009
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1J5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William H. Adams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: RDU, RALEIGH, NC
- Destination: SFZ, PAWTUCKET, RI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RDU, Raleigh/Durham, runway 14, 4,498 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,518 total, 1,954 in this make and model, 4,132 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 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 19860724035639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860724035639A), Jul 24, 1986: Piper PA60600, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft yawed left after liftoff from excessive takeoff run. Wings wobbled and aircraft struck trees.

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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