# NTSB ATL86FA217: Piper PA-28-161, N8340F, Douglasville, GA, August 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1986, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Douglasville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.739131, -84.739555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7391&lon=-84.7396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA217

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - uphill
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PLT LOADED THREE ADULTS PLUS HERSELF INTO THE WARRIOR II AND ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FROM A GRASS STRIP WHICH HAD A DIP AND A HILL OF ABOUT 6 FEET NEAR THE DEPARTURE END. THE ACFT TRAVELED ABOUT 150 FT PAST THE END OF THE RUNWAY BEFORE IMPACTING ON THE SIDE OF A HILL. THE PLT HAD FLOWN IN AND OUT OF THE STRIP SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST ATTEMPT WITH A FULL LOAD OF PAX. THE ACFT WAS ALMOST FULL OF FUEL AND IT WAS A HOT DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8340F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8340F-1995-09-08), registration cancelled 1995-09-08, S/N 288316033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8316033
- Airframe hours: 1722
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: La Grange Aero,Inc.
- Registered owner: Arthur F. Perkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 22, 1986, 20 hours before
- Airport: Pinewood, runway 4, 1,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 30 in this make and model, 74 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 15 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 19860810038669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860810038669A), Aug 10, 1986: Piper PA28161, Douglasville, GA, Destroyed. The aircraft failed to climb after takeoff. Inexperienced pilot attempted operations at high density altitude.

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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