# NTSB ATL89LA030: Piper PA-28-140, N98185, Deane, KY, November 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1988, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Deane, KY
- Coordinates: 37.240608, -82.770606 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2406&lon=-82.7706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA030

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO WISE, VIRGINIA FROM RICHMOND, KENTUCKY ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ON ROCKHOUSE MOUNTAIN. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE VICINITY OF THE SEPARATED LEFT WING/RUPTURED TANK. THE RIGHT WING WAS COMPLETELY SEVERED FROM THE FUSELAGE, HOWEVER, THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS INTACT AND CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY FOUR GALLONS OF FUEL. DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE PRECLUDED A TEST STAND RUN, HOWEVER, NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE NOTED DURING TEARDOWN EXAMINATION. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT WAS CIRCLING AROUND THE PASSENGER'S HOUSE SO THAT HE COULD OBSERVE IT FROM THE AIR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98185](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98185-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N 2826091 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26091
- Airframe hours: 2583
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert J. Miller
- Registered owner: Miller, Williamson, Melhuish
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1988, 165 hours before
- Departed: I39, RICHMOND, KY
- Destination: LNP, WISE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 252 total, 13 in this make and model, 219 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19881109071069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881109071069A), Nov 9, 1988: Piper PA28140, Deane, KY, Destroyed. Indicates ran tank dry after circling over tree tops near passengers residence. Struck trees near mountain top.

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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