# NTSB ATL86FLQ02: Piper PA-28, N3263R, Payne Gap, KY, October 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1985, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Payne Gap, KY
- Coordinates: 37.17094, -82.619102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1709&lon=-82.6191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FLQ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FLQ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED & CRASHED DURING A TURN TO REVERSE COURSE AT LOW ALT TO AVOID WX. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FOLLOWING A ROAD TO FIND AN ARPT WHEN WX WAS ENCOUNTERED. AFTER THE STALL THE ACFT CLIPPED TREES AND WIRES AND CAME TO REST AT THE BASE OF STAIRS LEADING TO A RESIDENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3263R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3263R-1994-08-04), registration cancelled 1994-08-04, S/N 28R31255 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-31255
- Airframe hours: 1603
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Warren Ward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 6, 1985, 65 hours before
- Departed: MTD, MATTOON, IL
- Destination: W17, KNIGHTDALE, NC
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 394 total, 35 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JKL, 42 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 19851015052389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851015052389A), Oct 15, 1985: Piper PA28R180, Payne Gap, KY, Substantial damage. Got into an accelerated stall trying to turn away from lowering ceiling. Struck a tree, the ground, another tree.

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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