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NTSB Report
March 3, 1984 · Piper PA-32RT-301T PA-32RT-30 · N8427A
Goodway, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 3, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Goodway, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-301T PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N8427A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL84FA111
PLT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. HE WAS TOLD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT BUT THE FSS BRIEFER STATED 'IF YOU GO NOW, IT'LL BE FINE.' THE PLT DEPARTED ON THE VFR FLT TO HICKORY, NC, AND DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN. RADAR INFO OBTAINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT N8427A WAS CRUISING AT 11,500 FT WHEN THE ACFT BEGAN A SERIES OF OSCILLATIONS THAT LED TO THE ACFT DESCENDING AT A RATE OF 15,000 FPM. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT THEY SAW THE ACFT DESCEND OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF A LOW CLOUD CEILING WITH THE WINGS AND EMPENNAGE SEPARATING JUST PRIOR TO THE GROUND IMPACT. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
Full Narrative
PLT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. HE WAS TOLD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT BUT THE FSS BRIEFER STATED 'IF YOU GO NOW, IT'LL BE FINE.' THE PLT DEPARTED ON THE VFR FLT TO HICKORY, NC, AND DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN. RADAR INFO OBTAINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT N8427A WAS CRUISING AT 11,500 FT WHEN THE ACFT BEGAN A SERIES OF OSCILLATIONS THAT LED TO THE ACFT DESCENDING AT A RATE OF 15,000 FPM. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT THEY SAW THE ACFT DESCEND OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF A LOW CLOUD CEILING WITH THE WINGS AND EMPENNAGE SEPARATING JUST PRIOR TO THE GROUND IMPACT. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:07 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32RT-301T PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN8427A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT