# NTSB ATL88LA015: Piper PA-28R-200, N1547X, Homer, GA, October 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1987, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Homer, GA
- Coordinates: 34.330032, -83.490272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3300&lon=-83.4903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7658/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED A GRADUAL DECREASE IN POWER AFTER REACHING 4000 FEET. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN A RESTART. HE THEN ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE PRIOR TO LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 150 FEET FROM A FENCE.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS FUELED WITH 20 GALLONS OF 100 LOW LEAD PRIOR TO DEPARTING GAINESVILLE. THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR STATED THAT FUEL SAMPLES WERE TAKEN AND THERE WERE NO VISIBLE CONTAMINATES SEEN IN THE FUEL. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF FUEL PROBLEMS BY OTHERS WHO PURCHASED FUEL FROM GAINESVILLE ON OCTOBER 17, 1987. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCOVER ANY REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1547X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1547X), registered now, S/N 28R-7535321, built 1975 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7535321
- Airframe hours: 3432
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John F. Armstrong
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1987, 27 hours before
- Departed: GAINESVILLE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,402 total, 35 in this make and model, 101 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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