# NTSB ATL88FA219: Piper PA-28-180, N7942N, Winston-Salem, NC, July 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1988, 21:21 local (Jul 23, 1988, 01:21 UTC)
- Place: Winston-Salem, NC
- Coordinates: 36.160877, -80.230033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1609&lon=-80.2300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA219

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

N7942N CRASHED INTO A BUILDING SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF FROM RUNWAY 21. THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR A LEFT TURNOUT OVER RUNWAY 33. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD REACHED 300 FEET WHEN THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE AIRPLANE WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN OVER ITS DESIGNED GROSS WEIGHT FOR FLIGHT, AND WAS ALSO OUTSIDE THE FORWARD C.G. LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7942N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7942N-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 28-5357, built 1969 (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: 28-5357
- Airframe hours: 3164
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger S. Nance
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 27, 1988
- Destination: MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Airport: INT, Smith Reynolds, runway 21, 3,938 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 160 total, 32 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT

## 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 19880722027589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880722027589A), Jul 22, 1988: Piper PA28180, Winston Salem, NC, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Stalled and spun into a building during climbout. Was concerned about being over gross weight but departed anyway.

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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