# NTSB ATL89FA144: Piper PA-22-135, N8693C, Augusta, GA, May 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1989, 19:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, GA
- Location: 33.4710° N, 81.9748° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Augusta, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4710&lon=-81.9748&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA144

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MAKING A STEEP TURN AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## 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
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP LEFT BANK WHILE CLIMBING AFTER LIFT-OFF, THEN IT DROPPED FROM VIEW. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8693C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8693C-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 22-1329, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1329
- Airframe hours: 3166
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven Evans
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1988
- Airport: Daniel Field, runway 28, 3,447 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS

## 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 19890506010889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890506010889A), May 6, 1989: Piper PA22135, Augusta, GA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Stalled into trees on takeoff climb. No mechanical defects to contribute to crash. Pilot died 25 days after crash.

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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