# NTSB ATL90FA061: Piper PA-28-161, N4338U, Norris, TN, February 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1990, 15:12 local (20:12 UTC)
- Place: Norris, TN
- Coordinates: 36.209873, -84.059219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2099&lon=-84.0592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA061

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S MISJUDGED DESCENT WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES AND THE GROUND. A FACTOR WAS THAT THE PILOT WAS BUZZING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - descent - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE STUDENT PLANNED AND FLEW HIS 1ST CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. DURING THE PLANNING HE ASKED HIS INSTRUCTOR IF HE COULD FLY TO THE TOWN WHERE HIS PARENTS LIVED. HE WAS TOLD NO & ASSIGNED AN AIRPORT TO FLY TO, MAKE ONE LANDING, AND RETURN. AFTER COMPLETING THE LANDING AT HIS ASSIGNED DESTINATION, THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN SEEN OVER HIS PARENT'S HOUSE ABOUT 34 NMI WEST OF THE AIRPORT. IT WAS 23 NMI NORTH OF HIS HOME AIRPORT. WITNESSES BRIEFLY SAW THE AIRPLANE, IN A DESCENT, JUST BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH TREES. IT THEN ROLLED AND DOVE INTO THE GROUND ONTO A WOODED LOT NEXT TO HIS PARENT'S HOUSE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4338U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4338U-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 28-8416079, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8416079
- Airframe hours: 2963
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Volunteer Avi. Of Knoxville
- Registered owner: Okelley, Davis & Genie Rae
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 21, 1989, 56 hours before
- Departed: TYS, ALCOA, TN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 39 total, 14 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 20 nm away

## 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 19900206001679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900206001679A), Feb 6, 1990: Piper PA28161, Norris, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into trees near parents residence.

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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