# NTSB ATL87FA262: Piper PA-31-350, N117EV, Demopolis, AL, September 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1987, 03:15 local (08:15 UTC)
- Place: Demopolis, AL
- Coordinates: 32.499855, -87.829368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4999&lon=-87.8294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7321/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA262

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - flt with inadqt en route/destn facilities - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT OF AN AIRCRAFT CARRYING AN ESTIMATED 317 KILOS OF COCAINE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT AN APT WHICH DID NOT HAVE A PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE IN IMC. WITNESSES ESTIMATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS NO MORE THAN 1/2 MILE IN FOG ABOUT 45 MIN AFTER THE ESTIMATED TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 1,400 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND ABOUT 600 FEET TO THE RIGHT OF THE EXTENDED RUNWAY CENTERLINE. GROUND CONTACT WAS MADE ABOUT 380 FEET AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE TREE. THE AIRCRAFT BURNED AFTER GROUND IMPACT. PILOT FLIGHT TIME WAS OBTAINED FROM PILOT'S LAST CFI APPLICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117EV-1997-10-04), registration cancelled 1997-10-04, S/N 318152185 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8152185
- Engines: LYCOMING LTIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Mcvea
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: 7A2, DEMOPOLIS, AL
- Airport: 7A2, Demopolis Municipal, runway 4, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEI

## 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 19870925069319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870925069319A), Sep 25, 1987: Piper PA31350, Demopolis, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with trees on approach to unlighted airport in fog. Cocaine cargo on board. Pilots blood positive cocaine.

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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