# NTSB ATL92LA069: Piper PA-34-200, N16209, Tifton, GA, March 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1992, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Tifton, GA
- Coordinates: 31.459133, -83.509796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4591&lon=-83.5098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA069

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SINGLE ENGINE GO-AROUND PROCEDURE, IN THAT HE FAILED TO RAISE THE FLAPS AND LANDING GEAR, AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM CONTROL AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FLOWN FOR A PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION. DURING THE FLIGHT THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF & COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. BOTH PILOTS RPTED THAT DURING THE ATTEMPTED SINGLE ENGINE LANDING, THE WIND SHIFTED FROM A QUARTERING HEAD WIND TO A QUARTERING TAIL WIND. THE NOSE & RIGHT WING DROPPED & THE AIRSPEED DECREASED TO VMC. A SINGLE ENGINE GO-AROUND WAS BEGUN. CONTRARY TO THE FLT MANUAL GO-AROUND PROCEDURE, THE FLAPS & LANDING GEAR WERE NOT RETRACTED. THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT BE CLIMBED OVER A TREE AT THE RUNWAY DEPARTURE END & IT HIT THE TREE. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED INTO THE DEAD ENGINE & CRASHED INTO TREES IN A VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ENGINE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY OPERATED ON A TEST STAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16209](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16209-1995-04-25), registration cancelled 1995-04-25, S/N 347350117 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7350117
- Airframe hours: 4953
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clinton Aircraft Leasing
- Registered owner: Clinton Aircraft Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1991
- Airport: TMA, Tift Myers, runway 27, 3,805 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 35 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 19920327007739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920327007739A), Mar 27, 1992: Piper PA34200, Tifton, GA, Substantial damage. Seller in rear seat,buyers flying the PA34. Feather engine. Unable restart. Hit trees on go around. Gear flaps down

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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