# NTSB ATL90LA027: Piper PA-32R-300, N4945F, Morrisville, NC, November 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1989, 05:55 local (10:55 UTC)
- Place: Morrisville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.829837, -78.829925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8298&lon=-78.8299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA027

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.  THE DARK NIGHT AND INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT HAD INTERCEPTED THE GLIDE SLOPE, WITH THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS EXTENDED, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN 85 KNOT EMERGENCY GLIDE ON THE LOCALIZER COURSE. ATTEMPTS TO START THE ENGINE FAILED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES, FELL TO THE GROUND AND BURNED. THE PILOT MANAGED TO ESCAPE THE BURNING AIRPLANE WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT MOVING THE FUEL MIXTURE LEVER TO THE RICH POSITION. NORMAL AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES INSTRUCT THE PILOT TO RETURN THE MIXTURE LEVER TO THE RICH POSITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4945F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4945F-1991-08-09), registration cancelled 1991-08-09, S/N 32R7680491 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680491
- Airframe hours: 6081
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Julia W. Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1989, 25 hours before
- Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Destination: RDU, RALIEGH, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RDU, Raleigh-Durham, runway 23R, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 110 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 330 in the last 90 days, 116 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 3 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 19891114045249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891114045249A), Nov 14, 1989: Piper PA32R300, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Destroyed. Engine lost power on ILS approach in dense fog at night. Crashed into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.