# NTSB ATL86LA186: Piper PA-28RT-201, N8153C, Robbinsville, NC, June 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1986, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Robbinsville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.32014, -83.799194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3201&lon=-83.7992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7141
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7141/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FLOWN FROM TROY, MI TO KNOXVILLE, TN AND LANDED, BUT IT WAS NOT REFUELED. THE PLT PROCEEDED ON TO THE ASSUME DESTINATION, BUT THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S ORIGINAL FLT PLAN (FROM TROY TO ANDREWS, NC), THE ESTIMATED TIME EN ROUTE (ETE) FROM KNOXVILLE TO ANDREWS WAS APRX 30 MIN. ABOUT 1 HR & 24 MIN AFTER THE ACFT DEPTD KNOXVILLE, A WITNESS SAW IT AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT PULLED UP, THE WINGS BEGAN ROCKING & THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE, THEN IT IMPACTED THE GROUND INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8153C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8153C-1995-03-31), registration cancelled 1995-03-31, S/N 28R8018037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8018037
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis M. Hoffman & R. Hoffman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TYS, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Destination: 6A3, ANDREWS, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 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 19860630028969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860630028969A), Jun 30, 1986: Piper PA28RT201, Robbinsville, NC, Destroyed. Aircraft hit tree during precautionary landing on a road. Pilot refuses to cooperate with investigation. Low fuel.

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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