# NTSB ATL90LA065: Piper PA-31T1, N222GW, Chamblee, GA, February 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1990, 19:00 local (Feb 19, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Chamblee, GA
- Coordinates: 32.329189, -81.390869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3292&lon=-81.3909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA065

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - roll
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING AN INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM APPROACH IN IMC, THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD, WHICH COLLAPSED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE WINDSCREEN HAD BECOME FOGGED DURING THE APPROACH. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WINDSCREEN DEFROSTING SYSTEM WAS NOT USED, AND THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. BECAUSE OF THE FOGGED WINDSCREEN, THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING SINK RATE, AND FAILED TO FLARE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222GW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N222GW), registered now, S/N 31T-7904050 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T1
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T1](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t1) (registry code 7103126) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-7904050
- Airframe hours: 2232
- Engines: P&W PT-6-11 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Int'L Textile Fabrics, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 9, 1990, 15 hours before
- Departed: GRD, GREENWOOD, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PDK, Dekalb Peachtree, runway 20L, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,404 total, 281 in this make and model, 6,266 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK

## 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 19900218002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900218002319A), Feb 18, 1990: Piper PA31T1, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Made hard landing after visual on ILS approach. Blamed fogged windshield. No mention of using windshield defroster.

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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