# NTSB ATL89FA045: Piper PA-28-140, N98369, Concord, NC, November 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1988, 13:17 local (18:17 UTC)
- Place: Concord, NC
- Coordinates: 35.39923, -80.589591 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3992&lon=-80.5896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA045

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PIC & WIFE FLEW TO LOCAL RESIDENTIAL AREA TO PHOTOGRAPH A HOUSE. THE ACFT WAS FLOWN IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. RADAR DATA DISPLAYED THE ACFT IN A LEVEL LEFT TURN AT 2300 FEET (1700 AGL) FOR ABOUT 50 SECONDS WHEN CONTACT WAS ABRUPTLY LOST. WITNESSES ALSO REPORTED THE AIRPLANE IN A LEFT CIRCLE WHEN THE BANK STEEPENED, THE NOSE DROPPED, AND IT DESCENDED STEEPLY UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT IMPACT & WITNESSES RPTED STRONG ENGINE SOUNDS DURING THE DESCENT. PIC RPTED ON HIS LAST MEDICAL REQUEST THAT HE USED RITALIN OCCASIONALLY FOR DROWSINESS. TOX EXAM SHOWED PRESENCE OF THERAPEUTIC LEVEL OF DRUG IN THE PIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98369](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98369-1988-11-26), registration cancelled 1988-11-26, S/N 28-26193, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26193
- Airframe hours: 4756
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cherokee Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Cherokee Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1988, 61 hours before
- Departed: 8A6, CHARLOTTE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 264 total, 248 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT

## 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 19881126052229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881126052229A), Nov 26, 1988: Piper PA28140, Concord, NC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Appears pilot stalled aircraft in a low level turn while circling the area. Amphetamine drug ritalin used by pilot.

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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