# NTSB ATL92FA152: Piper PA-24-400, N8620P, Dovesville, SC, August 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1992, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Dovesville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.380916, -79.850608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3809&lon=-79.8506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA152

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED FROM AN UNDETERMINED MALFUNCTION OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS FOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - ignition system,magneto - inoperative (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 7500 FEET MSL THE PILOT REPORTED A GRADUAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WITH FLORENCE APPROACH CONTROL AND ADVISED THE CONTROLLER OF HIS ENGINE PROBLEM. THE PILOT WAS GIVEN RADAR VECTORS TO DARLINGTON COUNTY AIRPORT, THE NEAREST SUITABLE AIRPORT. ANOTHER PILOT FLYING IN THE SECOND AIRPLANE IN THE FLIGHT SUGGESTED SEVERAL REMEDIES FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. FINALLY, HE SUGGESTED THAT THE PILOT CHECK THE MAGNETOS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE RAN SMOOTHLY ON ONE MAGNETO BUT THE ENGINE ALMOST QUIT WHEN SWITCHED TO THE  OTHER MAGNETO. MOMENTS LATER THE PILOT REPORTED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED OFF THE RADAR SCOPE AND CRASHED 3 MILES SHORT OF DARLINGTON COUNTY AIRPORT. THE SECOND AIRPLANE LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT THE PILOT REPORTED A LAYER OF FOG AT THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES AND THE POST CRASH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8620P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8620P-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N 26144 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-144
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-720 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Burke Coal Company
- Registered owner: Burke Coal Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1992
- Departed: LNP, WISE, VA
- Destination: CRE, N.MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 04J, Darlington County Airport, runway 23, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLO, 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 19920803028779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920803028779A), Aug 3, 1992: Piper PA24400, Darlington, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Report magneto problem. Vectored to nearest airport. Struck trees 3 miles out. Dense fog in area. Burned on impact.

## Other investigations on N8620P (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 MKC73FCJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73FCJ04), Jul 8, 1972: Piper PA-24 (N8620P), Ord, NE, 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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