# NTSB ATL88FA207: Piper PA-32, N8324V, Uniontown, AL, July 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1988, 07:07 local (12:07 UTC)
- Place: Uniontown, AL
- Location: 32.4466° N, 87.4873° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Uniontown, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4466&lon=-87.4873&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA207

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - in-flight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm,level iii (cause)
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8324V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8324V-1989-03-06), registration cancelled 1989-03-06, S/N 328106037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8106037
- Airframe hours: 1223
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph W. Belanger
- Registered owner: J.W. Belanger/J. Michael
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 20, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: 15A, MOBILE, AL
- Destination: DCU, DECATUR, AL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,098 total, 194 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 40 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 19880701024779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880701024779A), Jul 1, 1988: Piper PA32301, Uniontown, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Appears pilot lost control in area of rain and turbulence. Entered spiral dive, exceeded design load. Lost a wing.

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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