# NTSB ATL92FA076: Piper PA-28-140, N7248J, Young Harris, GA, April 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1992, 20:50 local (Apr 12, 1992, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Young Harris, GA
- Coordinates: 34.590694, -83.760643 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5907&lon=-83.7606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA076

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT, RAIN, AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT CIRCLING IN THE VALLEYS OF THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN FOR ABOUT TEN MINUETS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THEY SAID IT WAS A VERY DARK NIGHT AND LIGHT RAIN WAS FALLING IN THE AREA. THE VISIBILITY WAS REPORTED BY THE WITNESSES TO BE GOOD. THE WITNESSES STATED, THAT AT THE TIME THEY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT, THAT THEY COULD HEAR THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AT THE TOP OF A RIDGE LINE. THERE WERE LARGE GRASS FIELDS LOCATED IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE RIDGE LINE, IN THE DIRECTION OF IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7248J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7248J-1993-04-08), registration cancelled 1993-04-08, S/N 2824590 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24590
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Partlow, Allen L.
- Registered owner: Partlow, Allen L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: I21, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Destination: OPF, MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 290 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 75 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 19920412009659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920412009659A), Apr 12, 1992: Piper PA28140, Young Harris, GA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed circling low altitude in valley below hills. Struck trees. No power on impact. Rusty engine inop for year.

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.

---
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.