# NTSB ATL86LA171: Piper PA-28-160, N5447W, Apex, NC, June 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1986, 15:58 local (19:58 UTC)
- Place: Apex, NC
- Coordinates: 35.71986, -78.839759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7199&lon=-78.8398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA171

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER. AFTER ABOUT ONE AND ONE-HALF HOURS EN ROUTE THE WEATHER AHEAD DETERIORATED AND THE PILOT TURNED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE POINT. WEATHER PREVENTED A LANDING THERE SO HE TURNED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT. IT TOO WAS IN AN AREA OF WEATHER WHICH PREVENTED A LANDING. THE PILOT THEN TURNED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT WHICH ALSO WAS IN AN AREA OF LOW WEATHER. THE PILOT THEN REPORTED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND WOULD ATTEMPT TO REACH ANOTHER AIRPORT. THE ENGINE QUIT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH A SUITABLE LANDING AREA, HE CRASHED IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5447W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5447W-1989-09-13), registration cancelled 1989-09-13, S/N 28524 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28524
- Airframe hours: 2597
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: T.A. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1986, 3 hours before
- Departed: W17, KNIGHTDALE, NC
- Destination: CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 99 total, 35 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 10 nm away

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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