# NTSB GAA15CA051: Piper PA 32R-300, N2269M, Gatlinburg, TN, April 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 26, 2015, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Gatlinburg, TN - Coordinates: 35.696666, -83.534446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6967&lon=-83.5344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 9, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Piper Aircraft, Nashville FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91094 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91094/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91094 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA051 ## Probable cause The pilot's encounter with extreme turbulence during descent over mountainous terrain, which resulted in a loss of control, and structural damage in flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbulence: terrain induced turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Inflight upset](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a cross-country flight under instrument flight rules (IFR) the pilot was cleared from 9,000ft to 7,000ft over mountainous terrain. In the descent, the pilot reported encountering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and extreme turbulence which caused a loss of control resulting in inverted flight. The pilot was able to recover from the loss of control, but was unable to recall how he recovered. After the upset and recovery, the pilot landed without further incident. According to information obtained from a Safety Board meteorology specialist, weather data displayed a band of clouds in the immediate vicinity of the upset location associated with mountain wave activity and locally generated turbulence. Another aircraft in the immediate vicinity also reported an encounter of moderate-to-severe turbulence prior to the event. There were no AIRMETs or SIGMETs in effect in the area where the turbulence was encountered. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. During a post-flight inspection, both wings were substantially damaged after wrinkling and tearing was found. ## Factual narrative During a cross-country flight under instrument flight rules (IFR) the pilot was cleared from 9,000ft to 7,000ft over mountainous terrain. In the descent, the pilot reported encountering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and extreme turbulence which caused a loss of control resulting in inverted flight. The pilot was able to recover from the loss of control, but was unable to recall how he recovered. After the upset and recovery, the pilot landed without further incident. According to information obtained from a Safety Board meteorology specialist, weather data displayed a band of clouds in the immediate vicinity of the upset location associated with mountain wave activity and locally generated turbulence. Another aircraft in the immediate vicinity also reported an encounter of moderate-to-severe turbulence prior to the event. There were no AIRMETs or SIGMETs in effect in the area where the turbulence was encountered. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. During a post-flight inspection, both wings were substantially damaged after wrinkling and tearing was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2269M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2269M), registered now, S/N 32R-7880060, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32R-300 (300) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7880060 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3849 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 2015 - Departed: HXD, HILTON HEAD, SC - Destination: DKX, KNOXVILLE, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 3, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 415 total, 210 in this make and model, 359 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Turbulence: Extreme - Observed at: TVS, 11 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 20150426004529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150426004529A), Apr 26, 2015: Piper PA-32R-300, Knoxville, TN, Substantial damage. The PIC[privacy data omitted] stated he and his passenger departed hilton head, SC. To his home airport, downtown island Knoxville TN (dkx). The PIC had filed… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91094. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427404&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427405&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Certification of Party Representative (item 3, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Certification%20of%20Party%20Representative-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Wing Area (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wing%20Area%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Top of Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Top%20of%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Meteorology (item 6, .PDF, 306 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Meteorology-Master.PDF 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.