# NTSB ATL93FA041: Piper PA-23-250, N2603Z, Atlanta, GA, December 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1992, 18:14 local (23:14 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.7801° N, 84.5207° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FULTON COUNTY EXEC/CHARLIE BROWN FLD (FTY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7801&lon=-84.5207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA041

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S  FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM APPROACH LIGHTS WHILE CONDUCTING A NIGHT LANDING. A FACTOR WAS A DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - approach light/navaid
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S WIFE, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT DURING THE FLIGHT, EVERYTHING WAS OKAY AND THE PILOT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRPLANE. HOWEVER, AS THE FLIGHT ARRIVED INTO THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC AREA, THE PILOT EXPRESSED SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THE VISUAL TRAFFIC CLEARANCE TO LAND. AFTER A BRIEF CONVERSATION WITH THE CONTROLLER, THE PILOT ESTABLISHED A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 08. THE PILOT FURTHER INQUIRED ABOUT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE OPERATIONAL. AFTER SOME MANEUVERING, THE PILOT WAS ESTABLISHED ON A FINAL APPROACH FOR RUNWAY 08. ABOUT 800 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE APPROACH LIGHTS AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 375 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND SUBSYSTEMS FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2603Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2603Z-2012-10-18), registration cancelled 2012-10-18, S/N 27-8154011, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-8154011
- Airframe hours: 2658
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hester, Milton M.
- Registered owner: Hester, Milton M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1992
- Departed: AZE, HAZLEHURST, GA
- Destination: FTY
- Airport: FTY, Fulton County, runway 8, 5,796 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 62 in this make and model, 259 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 1 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 19921225051829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921225051829A), Dec 25, 1992: Piper PA23250, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Too low on final. Collided with runway approach light system. Then struck an embankment 375 feet short of runway.

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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