# NTSB ATL86LA207: Piper PA-34-200T, N2952D, Mobile, AL, July 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1986, 15:52 local (20:52 UTC)
- Place: Mobile, AL
- Location: 30.6914° N, 88.2428° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MOBILE RGNL (MOB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6914&lon=-88.2428&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA207

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - weather condition - rain
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - level off - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING PRIOR TO TAKEOFF WHICH FORECASTED WIDELY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS. ON ARRIVAL AT DESTINATION A THUNDERSTORM WAS OVER THE ARPT. THE PLT EXECUTED AN ILS RWY 14 APCH. A PRECEDING DC-9 MADE A MISSED APPROACH DUE TO TOWER REPORTED WINDSHEAR. THE PLT OF THE ACCIDENT ACFT SAID HE SAW INTENSE RAIN AND LIGHTNING AHEAD AHEAD OF HIM AND HEARD THE TOWER REPORT OF WINDSHEAR. THE APCH WAS CONTINUED AND A STRONG DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED WHICH RESULTED IN COLLISION WITH THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2952D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2952D-1995-06-16), registration cancelled 1995-06-16, S/N 347970398 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7970398
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-EB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mobile Air Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1986, 46 hours before
- Departed: EUF, EUFAULA, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MOB, Bates Field, runway 14, 8,527 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,560 total, 25 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 18 knots, gusting 26
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOB

## 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 19860723038049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860723038049A), Jul 23, 1986: Piper PA34200T, Mobile, AL, Substantial damage. The pilot attempted to land during a thunderstorm. The aircraft was forced into the ground short of T0UCHDOWN zone.

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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