# NTSB ATL91LA048: Piper PA-23-250, N4749P, Lumberton, NC, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1991, 22:08 local (Feb 3, 1991, 03:08 UTC)
- Place: Lumberton, NC
- Location: 34.6306° N, 79.0186° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lumberton, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6306&lon=-79.0186&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SUFFERED A STROKE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - incapacitation(stroke), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SUFFERED A STROKE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING. THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4749P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4749P-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 27-287, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-287
- Engines: LYCOMING O-520 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hester, Harry
- Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: LBT, LUMBERTON, NC
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 20,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: FAY, 30 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 19910202001529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910202001529A), Feb 2, 1991: Piper PA23250, Lumberton, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot suffered a stroke on approach to airport. Struck a cement block building on ground impact. Died 4 days later.

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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