# NTSB MIA99FA263: Piper PA-31-350, N27343, Moreland, GA, September 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1999, 05:22 local (09:22 UTC) - Place: Moreland, GA - Coordinates: 33.279823, -84.770668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2798&lon=-84.7707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99FA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47444/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99FA263 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the minimum descent altitude while executing a localizer approach. Contributing factors were low ceilings and dark night conditions as well as the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The flight was cleared for a localizer approach to runway 32 at Newnan-Coweta County Airport during dark night conditions. About 8 minutes later the pilot reported to air traffic control that he had missed approach and would like to try another approach. The flight was radar vectored to the final approach course and again cleared for the localizer runway 32 approach. The flight was observed on radar to continue the approach until a point about 4 nautical miles from the airport, at which time radar contact was lost. The last observed altitude was 1,600 feet msl. The aircraft collided with 80-foot tall trees, while established on the localizer for runway 32, about 1.3 nautical miles from the runway. About the time of the accident the weather at the airport was reported as a cloud ceiling 200 feet agl, and visibility .75 statute miles. Post crash examination of the aircraft structure, flight controls, engines, propellers, and systems showed no evidence of pre-crash failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 21, 1999, about 0522 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N27343, registered to Bernhart Aircraft and Equipment Leasing, and operated by Baltimore Air Transport, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, collided with trees while making a localizer approach to Newnan-Coweta County Airport, Moreland, Georgia. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Charlotte, North Carolina, the same day, about 0340. Transcripts of radio communications between the pilot of N27343 and the FAA Atlanta Approach Control showed the flight was cleared to performed the localizer approach to runway 32 at Newnan-Coweta County Airport, beginning at 0456:36. At 0504:29, the pilot reported he was performing a missed approach and that he would "like to do one more try." The flight was vectored to the final approach course and was again cleared for a localizer approach to runway 32 at Newnan-Coweta County Airport, beginning at 0516:51. The last recorded communications with the pilot was at 0517:58, when the pilot acknowledged that radar service was terminated and that radio frequency change was approved. (See transcripts of radio communications). Recorded radar data from the FAA Atlanta Approach Control showed the flight performed a localizer runway 32 approach to the Newnan-Coweta County Airport, descending to about 1,500 feet msl. The flight then performed a missed approach and returned for another localizer 32 approach. The flight was last observed on radar at 0521:29, at 1,600 feet msl, at a position about 4 miles from the airport. (See recorded radar data). Witnesses located in a house adjacent to the crash site reported hearing the aircraft collide with trees, and crash to the ground. They went to the scene and found the wreckage of the aircraft which was on fire. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a U.S. FAA commercial pilot certificate, last issued on April 8, 1997, with airplane single engine land, airplane multiengine land, airplane single engine sea, and instrument airplane ratings. The pilot held a U.S FAA flight instructor certificate with airplane single and multiengine ratings, last issued on June 8, 1998. The pilot held a U.S. FAA second class medical certificate, with no limitations, last issued on December 14, 1998. The pilot held a U.S. FAA Statement of Demonstrated Ability, issued on August 22, 1997, following a medical test flight with a U.S. FAA inspector. The Statement of Demonstrated Ability was required for the pilot to meet the requirements of a second class medical certificate due to his not having any useful vision in his right eye. (Additional pilot information is contained on page 3 of this report and in FAA pilot records and pilot information). AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Information on the aircraft is contained in this report under Aircraft Information, and in the aircraft logbook information. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The Newnan-Coweta County Airport, 0520 surface weather observation was winds calm, visibility .75 statute mile, clouds 200 feet agl overcast, temperature 64 F., dewpoint temperature 64 F., altimeter 29.86 inches hg., remarks partial obscuration. Records from the FAA Flight Service Station, Raleigh, North Carolina, show a person identifying himself as the pilot of N27343, called at 0210 and requested an abbreviated pilot weather briefing for an IFR flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Newnan, Georgia, and after the brief, filed an IFR flight plan. (See ATC data). WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft crashed in a wooded area behind a house located at 358 Teasley Trail, Moreland, Georgia. Examination of the crash site showed the aircraft first collided with trees about 80 feet agl and 940 feet msl, while on a 320-degree heading. Ground level at the initial collision point was about 95 feet below the approach end of runway 32, and was about 1.3 statute miles from the runway. The aircraft was established on the localizer at this point. Three trees were impacted in this area and about the top 5-6 feet of the trees were separated. About 100 feet past the initial tree impact point, additional trees were impacted and the right and left wing tips were found on the ground below the trees. Several tree limbs that had been cut by rotating propellers were found in this area. About 200 feet from initial tree impact, the right outboard wing, from the engine nacelle to the tip, was found in the top of a tree. Additionally, the left aileron and right wing flap were found in this area. Between 300 and 350 feet from initial impact, the left and right elevators and horizontal stabilizers, empennage, outboard left wing, vertical fin and rudder, left engine cowling, and cabin roof with rear cabin door were located. At about 400 feet from initial tree impact, the forward cabin roof and overhead switch panel were located. At about 450 feet from initial tree impact, was the main wreckage, which consisted of the main cabin, inboard wings, engine nacelles, engines, and propellers. A postcrash fire had erupted in the main wreckage area. All components necessary for flight were located on the wreckage or around the crash area, except for the right aileron counterweight. The separation point of the right aileron counterweight was consistent with overstress separation during the crash sequence. Each wing and horizontal stabilizer had damage from tree impact. Continuity of all flight control and flap control cables was confirmed and all separation points in the cables were consistent with overstress. The landing gear was found extended and the wing flaps were found extended to the 15-degree, or approach, position. Both wing tip navigation light bulbs had stretched filaments in a direction toward the front of the aircraft. The left and right front seat lap belts were found buckled. The shoulder harness inertial reels were found with the shoulder harnesses retracted and no damage to the reels. The autopilot pitch and yaw axis actuators were found in the disengaged position. The roll axis actuator had separated during the crash sequence and was not located. The cabin heater was opened and no evidence of leakage was found. Examination of the aircraft fuel system showed the right fuel selector valve was in the inboard tank position and the right firewall shutoff valve was open. The control cables for these valves had not been pulled by impact forces. The right fuel strainer had been burned and there was no debris in the screens. The right electric fuel boost pump and right electric fuel emergency pump rotated normally and showed no evidence of failure or malfunction. No blockage in the remains of the right wing and engine fuel lines was detected. The left fuel selector valve and fire wall shutoff valve were found in the off position. The control cables for these valves had been pulled by impact forces. The left fuel strainer had been burned and there was no debris in the screens. The left electric fuel boost pump rotated normally and showed no evidence of failure or malfunction. The left electric fuel emergency fuel pump separated during the crash sequence and was not recovered. No blockage in the remains of the left wing and engine fuel lines was detected. The left and right electric fuel boost pump switches were found in the on position in the cockpit. The postcrash fire occurred in the area of the inboard fuel tanks. The left and right engine assemblies rotated normally during post accident examination. Continuity of each valve train, camshaft, crankshaft, and accessory drive was confirmed. Each cylinder produced compression. Each spark plug had deposit color consistent with normal engine operation. Each oil screen and filter was free of debris. Each ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27343](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27343-2000-05-01), registration cancelled 2000-05-01, S/N 31-7752163 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-350 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31-7752163 - Airframe hours: 8340 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Baltimore Air Transport, Inc. - Registered owner: Bernhart Acft. And Equip. Leas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, September 11, 1999, 23 hours before - Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC - Destination: CCO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CCO, Newnan Coweta County, runway 32, 5,007 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 0.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CCO, 2 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 19990921045879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990921045879A), Sep 21, 1999: Piper PA31350, Newnan, GA, No damage. (-23) See narrative MIA99FA263 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.