# NTSB ATL87FA230: Piper PA-28R-200, N55649, Offerman, GA, August 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1987, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Offerman, GA
- Coordinates: 31.410448, -82.109268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4104&lon=-82.1093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7311/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA230

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLT THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT A LEVEL ATTITUDE APPROX 10 FT ABOVE A CORN FIELD AT HIGH SPEED. THE RIGHT WING OF THE ACFT STRUCK TREE BRANCHES APPROX 60 FT AGL DURING A PULL UP. A 6 FT SECTION OF THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED. THE ACFT CLIMBED, ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND NOSED INTO THE GROUND. SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST THE PILOT/CO-OWNEROF THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED OVERHEAD THE HOUSE OF A FRIEND WHO LIVED APPROX 300 YDS FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. SHE REPORTED THAT DURING PAST 'FLY-OVERS' THE ACFT HAD BEEN AT A SAFE ALTITUDE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55649](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55649-1990-08-24), registration cancelled 1990-08-24, S/N 28R7335264 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7335264
- Airframe hours: 3927
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: D. Strickland/B Taylor/J Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1987, 72 hours before
- Departed: AYS, WAYCROSS, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AYS, 20 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 19870814045529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870814045529A), Aug 14, 1987: Piper PA28R200, Offerman, GA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Buzzed a field at 10 feet AGL near a friend's house. A wing was severed by a tree on pullup. Impacted vertically.

## Other investigations on N55649 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI76FEV23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEV23), Jan 4, 1976: Piper PA-28R (N55649), Galesburg, IL, substantial damage

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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