# NTSB ATL87FA189: Piper PA-28-180, N15978, Jesup, GA, June 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1987, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Jesup, GA
- Coordinates: 31.660734, -81.930145 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6607&lon=-81.9301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA189

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THE ACFT 'BUZZED' (FLEW LOW) OVER A FACTORY, WHERE THE PLT USED TO WORK, THEN IT WENT OVER THE ALTAMAHA RIVER, FLEW UNDER A BRIDGE & CONTINUED UP THE RIVER AT LOW ALT. ABOUT 2 TO 3 MI UPSTREAM, THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERING WHEN IT STRUCK TREES & CRASHED IN THE RIVER. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. TOXICOLOGY TESTS SHOWED THAT THE PLT & 2 OF THE PAX'S HAD ALCOHOL IN THEIR BLOOD. A CHECK OF THE 3RD PAX'S BLOOD WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THE PLT'S BLOOD TESTED 0.13% (0.13 GM%) FOR ALCOHOL. HIS MED CERT WAS DATED 8/29/83. HIS LOG BOOK WAS NOT FND, BUT OTHER RECORDS INDCD HE HAD APRX 400 HRS TOTAL TIME WITH 250 HRS IN PA-28 ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15978](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15978-2012-10-15), registration cancelled 2012-10-15, S/N 28-7305205, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287305205
- Airframe hours: 1203
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: R. W. Mc Duffie
- Registered owner: Richard Wade Mcduffie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: JES, JESUP, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total, 250 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMG, 32 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 19870626027279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870626027279A), Jun 26, 1987: Piper PA28180, Jesup, GA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft struck trees and crashed into river during low level flight. No aircraft malfunctions found.

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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