# NTSB ATL93FA039: Piper PA-28R-201, N9319C, Phenix City, AL, December 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1992, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Phenix City, AL
- Location: 32.4539° N, 85.0309° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Phenix City, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4539&lon=-85.0309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain
  - weather condition - low ceiling
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT OBTAINED HER INSTRUMENT RATING THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRST INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM APPROACH INTO THE AIRPORT TERMINATED IN A MISSED APPROACH. WHEN GIVEN A FREQUENCY CHANGE, JUST PRIOR TO REACHING THE OUTER MARKER, SHE REPLIED THAT SHE WAS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR, AND NO FURTHER RADIO TRANSMISSION WERE MADE BY THE PILOT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED OUT OF THE BASE OF THE CLOUDS IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, AND A STEEP LEFT BANK. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVALED NO MECHANICAL NOR INSTRUMENTATION MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9319C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9319C-1994-12-16), registration cancelled 1994-12-16, S/N 28R7837190 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7837190
- Airframe hours: 3719
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Araguel, Charlotte L.
- Registered owner: Araguel, Patrick J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1992, 39 hours before
- Departed: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Destination: CSG, COLUMBUS, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 273 total, 33 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 7 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 19921221051019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921221051019A), Dec 21, 1992: Piper PA28R201, Columbus, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Missed first approach. Lost control and spiraled to ground on second try. Was first solo IFR flight after rating.

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.