# NTSB ATL90FA093: Piper PA-28-140, N55864, East Ellijay, GA, March 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1990, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: East Ellijay, GA
- Location: 34.6652° N, 84.4908° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of East Ellijay, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6652&lon=-84.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA093

## Probable cause

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED, AND HAD NOT FILED A FLIGHT PLAN FOR THE FLIGHT. THE WEATHER IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS FORECAST TO BE OCCASSIONALLY BELOW THAT REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES. THE FORECAST ALSO CALLED FOR MOUNTAINS TO BE OCCASSIONALLY OBSCURED IN CLOUDS AND RAIN. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND WAS ADVISED THAT FLIGHT UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55864](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55864-1990-10-30), registration cancelled 1990-10-30, S/N 287325509 (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: 28-7325509
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daryl R. Raisley
- Departed: 54A, PERRY, GA
- Destination: JVY, JEFFERSONVILLE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 174 total, 152 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Observed at: CHA, 55 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 19900329007709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900329007709A), Mar 29, 1990: Piper PA28140, East Ellijay, GA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted trees in mountainous terrain in low ceiling rain and fog at dusk. Was advised VFR.

## Other investigations on N55864 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA75DLG29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75DLG29), Apr 5, 1975: Piper PA-28 (N55864), Johns Island, SC, substantial damage

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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