# NTSB ATL93FA026: Piper PA-28R-180, N7684J, Blairsville, GA, November 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1992, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Blairsville, GA
- Coordinates: 34.869895, -83.95005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8699&lon=-83.9501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH HIGH TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE HIGH WIND AND RAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED THREE WEATHER BRIEFINGS AT VARIOUS POINTS THROUGHOUT THE PREFLIGHT, FLIGHT AND PRIOR TO THE FINAL DEPARTURE FROM ANDREWS, NORTH CAROLINA.  EACH BRIEFING NOTED INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS ALONG THE PILOT'S ROUTE OF FLIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE PILOT REQUESTED AND WAS GIVEN A RADAR ASSIST INTO ANDREWS MURPHY AIRPORT, FROM ATLANTA CENTER, ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AFTER REFUELING WITH 16 GALLONS OF AVIATION FUEL, THE PILOT DEPARTED ANDREWS MURPHY AIRPORT AND CLIMBED TO ABOUT 6600 FEET. ATLANTA CENTER RADAR RECORDED AN AIRBORNE TARGET CIRCLING IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AT 6600 FEET. HIKERS ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAILS RECALLED HEARING AN AIRPLANE IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AT THE APPROXIMATE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THEY ALSO REPORTED THAT FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 50 YARDS WITH MODERATE RAIN. A FOREST RANGER REPORTED THAT WINDS WERE GUSTING TO ABOUT 45 MPH. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE DISCOVERED DURING THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7684J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7684J-1993-07-23), registration cancelled 1993-07-23, S/N 28R31085 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-31085
- Airframe hours: 2896
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Keller, Michael T.
- Registered owner: Keller, Michael T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1992
- Departed: 6A3, ANDREWS, NC
- Destination: OCF, OCALA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 475 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 16 knots, gusting 45
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 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 19921120047629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921120047629A), Nov 20, 1992: Piper PA28R180, Blairsville, GA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into trees on side of cloud obscured mountain. Was advised vnr twice on briefings. Frontal weather in area.

## Other investigations on N7684J (2)

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 NYC87LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA131), Jul 16, 1987: Piper PA-28-180 (N7684J), Dansville, NY, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC70F0042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70F0042), May 15, 1969: Piper PA-28R (N7684J), Olathe, KS, 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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