# NTSB ATL86FKG07: Piper PA-28-180, N8288W, Statesboro, GA, February 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1986, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Statesboro, GA
- Coordinates: 32.439582, -81.770729 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4396&lon=-81.7707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6993
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FKG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6993/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FKG07

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT OVER A WOODED AREA AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE FLEW OUT TO OVERLOOK SOME LAND FROM THE AIR. TO AVOID AIR TRAFFIC IN THE LANDING PATTERN HE DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 550 FT AND MADE 2 CIRCLES AROUND THE LAND AFTER WHICH HE WAS TURNING TO ENTER DOWNWIND FOR LANDING WHEN HE OVERFLEW A WOODED AREA. AFTER SOME TURBULENCE THE ACFT STARTED SINKING. THE PLT ADDED POWER AND PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE. THE ACFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8288W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8288W-1988-11-08), registration cancelled 1988-11-08, S/N 282450 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2450
- Airframe hours: 2528
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Thurman Fail
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1985, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 235 total, 27 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 30 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 19860220004839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860220004839A), Feb 20, 1986: Piper PA28180, Statesboro, GA, Destroyed. Pilot stated that he encountered a down draft at 500 feet above ground and could not stop the descent to the ground

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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