# NTSB ATL91FA047: Piper PA-24-260, N9209P, Cordele, GA, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1991, 19:14 local (Feb 3, 1991, 00:14 UTC)
- Place: Cordele, GA
- Coordinates: 31.95972, -83.770904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9597&lon=-83.7709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8310/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA047

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT AND TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.  RELATED FACTORS WERE: DARKNESS AND THE PILOT BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE FLYING TO AN AIRPORT TO PICK UP A FRIEND. NIGHT VMC PREVAILED. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE FLYING AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL AT VARIOUS POSITIONS OVER THE CITY, VARYING HEADINGS, AND SOMETIMES CIRCLING. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE PILOT 'SEEMED LIKE HE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE HE WAS GOING.'  THE AIRPLANE THEN PROCEEDED TOWARD THE MIDFIELD POINT OF THE AIRPORT ON A NORTHERLY HEADING. IT COLLIDED WITH PINE TREES, THEN FELL INTO THE ROOF OF A CHURCH LOCATED 150 FEET FARTHER NORTH. THE AIRCRAFT, AND CHURCH, WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS FOUND IN THE 'LEFT AUX' TANK POSITION; HOWEVER, AUX TANKS WERE TO BE USED IN LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY. ACTUATOR SETTINGS INDICATED THE GEAR WAS DOWN & THE FLAPS WERE UP. PROP SIGNATURES INDICATED PROP ROTATION IN A POWER PRODUCING MODE AT IMPACT. THE RUNWAY LIGHTS FOR RWY 9/27 WERE ON AT THE TIME, AND THE AIRCRAFT'S NORTHERLY HEADING WAS NOT ALIGNED WITH ANY RUNWAY. THE LOCATION OF THE AIRPORT DID NOT REQUIRE THE CITY TO BE OVERFLOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9209P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9209P-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 24-4704, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4704
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carter, Richard C.
- Registered owner: Carter, Richard C.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: GA04, LOCUST GROVE, GA
- Airport: 02J, Crisp-County Cordele

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 775 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots, gusting 1
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 34 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 19910202001539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910202001539A), Feb 2, 1991: Piper PA24260, Cordele, GA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Observed circling low over town. Engine missing. Hit church and burned. Fuel set on aux tank. Incorrect for landing

## Other investigations on N9209P (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 IAD74FIG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74FIG07), Aug 13, 1973: Piper PA-24 (N9209P), Edgewater, MD, 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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