# NTSB MIA79FA122: Piper PA-28, N15029, Alma, GA, September 16, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 16, 1979
- Place: Alma, GA · ALMA, GA
- Location: 31.5450° N, 82.4736° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alma, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5450&lon=-82.4736&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 12, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA79FA122
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA122

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2962  79/9/16  NR.ALMA,GA            PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 48, 544
        TIME - 1015                    N15029              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 543 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          SILVER SPRINGS,FL           CHICAGO,IL                   CHATTANOOGA,TN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: SPARS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       72
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           30                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- ACFT ALTERNATOR BELT EXCESSIVELY WORN PRIOR TO TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15029](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15029-2009-06-30), registration cancelled 2009-06-30, S/N 28-7305002, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790916034979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790916034979A), Sep 16, 1979: Piper PA28180, Alma, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Noninstrument-rated pilot continued VFR into IFR weather conditions. Alternator belt broken before flight.

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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