# NTSB ATL87FA104: Piper PA-28R-201, N47887, Rhine, GA, April 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1987, 10:27 local (15:27 UTC)
- Place: Rhine, GA
- Coordinates: 31.979984, -83.199958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9800&lon=-83.2000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA104

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - wing - failure,partial
  - wing - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENTED RATED PLT CONTINUED INTO AN AREA OF KNOWN WX CONDITIONS. THE LEFT WING SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. FAILURE OF IT WAS TYPICAL OF OVERLOAD FRACTURES. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER AN AREA ABOUT 3500 FEET LONG AND 200 FEET WIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47887](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47887-1990-02-13), registration cancelled 1990-02-13, S/N 28R7837012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7837012
- Airframe hours: 2160
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joel Hunter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1986
- Departed: DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Destination: MEMPHIS, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,650 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN

## 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 19870403010949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870403010949A), Apr 3, 1987: Piper PA28R201, Rhine, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. In flight structual separation of left outboard wing panel. VFR pilot operating in IFR conditions.

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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