# NTSB MIA93FA058: Piper PA-28-140, N8205N, Brilliant, AL, January 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1992, 20:40 local (Jan 1, 1993, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Brilliant, AL
- Coordinates: 34.010108, -87.769462 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0101&lon=-87.7695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93FA058

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT WAS OVERCONFIDENT IN HIS ABILITY. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO FUEL THE AIRPLANE AT APRX 1900 PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, IMC CONDITIONS PREVAILED. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED ABOUT 1930. THE NWS 1951 RECORDED WX AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WAS 600 FT BROKEN, 1,500 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 6 MI IN FOG. AREA FORECAST FOR MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA AFTER 2000 WAS CEILING AT OR BELOW 1,000 FT AGL WITH VISIBILITY OF 3 MI WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE AND FOG. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 1/31/93 NEARLY SUBMERGED IN A LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8205N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8205N-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 28-25400, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25400
- Airframe hours: 3948
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas, Aaron S.
- Registered owner: Thomas, Aaron S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1992, 150 hours before
- Departed: TUP, TUPELO, MS
- Destination: FTY, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 213 total, 157 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUP, 64 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 19921231055389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921231055389A), Dec 31, 1992: Piper PA28140, Brilliant, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed into a lake. Low ceiling and visibility in area and dark night. Had departed VFR into IMC at night.

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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