# NTSB ATL90LA169: Piper PA-28-180, N6341J, Goldsboro, NC, September 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1990, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Goldsboro, NC
- Coordinates: 35.370437, -77.970443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3704&lon=-77.9704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA169

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE PASSENGER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING A POWER REDUCTION DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THEY SAW THE AIRCRAFT ENTER A STEEP PITCH-UP FOLLOWED BY A LEFT ROLL & SPIN ENTRY. SUBSEQUENTLY IT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN & LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND THAT WOULD PRECLUDE ITS OPERATION. THE PASSENGER INDICATED THAT HE MAY HAVE RETARDED THE THROTTLE. THERE WAS CONTINUITY OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6341J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4849
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thompson, Chester I.
- Airport: NONE, Cox Grantham, runway 23

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSB, 13 nm away

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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