# NTSB MIA84LA221: Piper PA-36, N9943P, Bainbridge, GA, August 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1984, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Bainbridge, GA
- Location: 30.9049° N, 84.5730° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bainbridge, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9049&lon=-84.5730&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31169/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE AFTER IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA JUST BEYOND THE RUNWAY AFTER TAKING OFF ON A CROP CONTROL FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF HE SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE COWLING. THE ACFT WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT AND CRASHED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9943P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-60054
- Airframe hours: 2237
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TIARA 6-285 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Potter Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1984, 70 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,078 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 42 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 19840807038519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840807038519A), Aug 7, 1984: Piper PA36285, Bainbridge, GA, Destroyed. Aircraft caught fire after liftoff and crashed into trees. Pilot escaped and aircraft was destroyed by fire.

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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