# NTSB ATL90FA074: Piper PA-30, N7123Y, Dayton, TN, March 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1990, 09:48 local (14:48 UTC)
- Place: Dayton, TN
- Coordinates: 35.490242, -85.009513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4902&lon=-85.0095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA074

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL USE OF AN AUTOPILOT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES. THE PILOT KNOWINGLY RELIED ON THIS AUTOPILOT WHICH MALFUNCTIONED IN FLIGHT AND RESULTED IN HIS BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTATED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - autopilot/flight director - failure,partial (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD REPORTED LEVEL AT 11,000 FT. A SHORT TIME LATER, WHEN ATC REQUESTED HIS HEADING, HE RESPONDED THAT HE HAD AN AUTOPILOT MALFUNCTION. ATC ASKED THE PILOT IF HE WANTED VECTORS. THE PILOT RESPONDED 'PLEASE.'  THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED INTO A RIVER IN A STEEP ANGLE ALMOST DIRECTLY BELOW HIS LAST REPORTED POSITION. THE PILOT WAS IN IMC CONDITIONS, WHILE EN ROUTE TO HAVE AUTOPILOT MAINTENANCE. HE WAS KNOWN TO RELY ON HIS AUTOPILOT DURING IFR FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7123Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7123Y-1990-08-16), registration cancelled 1990-08-16, S/N 30142 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-142
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lowell B. Pete
- Registered owner: Wilma Pete
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1989
- Departed: CSV, CROSSVILLE, TN
- Destination: LEE, LEESBURG, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,313 total, 1,770 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSV, 27 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 19900308003549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900308003549A), Mar 8, 1990: Piper PA30, Dayton, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Vertical impact into river. Report autopilot malfunction. Had prior pitch trim trouble. Chlorpheniramine-0.3MG/KG

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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