# NTSB MIA89LA039: Piper PA-32R-300, N4908F, Holly Springs, MS, November 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1988, 18:38 local (Nov 20, 1988, 00:38 UTC)
- Place: Holly Springs, MS
- Coordinates: 34.770477, -89.44062 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7705&lon=-89.4406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA039

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system,alternator - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - failure,total (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER HE BEGAN A DESCENT FROM 12,000 FT TO 4000 FT, THE ACFT LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR. WHILE APCHG TO LAND AT HOLLY SPRINGS ARPT, THE ACFT ENCTRD UNFAVORABLE WINDS & TURBULENCE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT LOST AIRSPEED & ALTITUDE, THEN CRASHED AFTER COLLIDING WITH TREES & POWER LINES. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WIND WAS SHEARING 10 TO 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4908F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4908F-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 32R-7680486, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-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-7680486
- Airframe hours: 2850
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald Carr Ins. Assoc.,Inc.
- Registered owner: Donnaud-Carr Ins. Assc. Inc,
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CTJ, CARROLLTON, GA
- Destination: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: M41, Holly Springs, runway 18, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 454 total, 74 in this make and model, 383 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 136 °F, dew point 136 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM

## 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 19881119051419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881119051419A), Nov 19, 1988: Piper PA32R300, Holly Springs, MS, Destroyed. Alternator quit. Struck trees on night visual landing. Blamed windshear on final put aircraft in trees.

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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