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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 27, 1983 · Piper PA-28-180 · N5396L

Lexington, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 27, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Lexington, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N5396L
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL84FA054

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL DESCENT DURING IMC WEATHER ON A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT HAD FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN BUT HE WAS A STUDENT WITH LIMITED EXPERIENCE AND WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. ALSO HE WAS CARRYING A PASSENGER. THE CONTROLLER WHO HAD BEEN WORKING THE FLT HAD NOTED A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM ON THE PART OF THE PLT IN HIS HOLDING OFHEADINGS AND REPORTING PROCEDURES. WHEN THE FLT FINALLY ENCOUNTERED THUNDERSTORMS AND TURBULENCE RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST.THE LAST RADIO CONTACT WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 1346. THE MKC FSS SPECIALIST STATED TO MEMPHIS CENTER AT 1346:07 THAT THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN SEVERE TURBULENCE & DID NOT KNOW HIS LOCATION. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 4 MILES EAST OF LEXINGTON, TN.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL DESCENT DURING IMC WEATHER ON A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT HAD FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN BUT HE WAS A STUDENT WITH LIMITED EXPERIENCE AND WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. ALSO HE WAS CARRYING A PASSENGER. THE CONTROLLER WHO HAD BEEN WORKING THE FLT HAD NOTED A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM ON THE PART OF THE PLT IN HIS HOLDING OFHEADINGS AND REPORTING PROCEDURES. WHEN THE FLT FINALLY ENCOUNTERED THUNDERSTORMS AND TURBULENCE RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST.THE LAST RADIO CONTACT WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 1346. THE MKC FSS SPECIALIST STATED TO MEMPHIS CENTER AT 1346:07 THAT THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN SEVERE TURBULENCE & DID NOT KNOW HIS LOCATION. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 4 MILES EAST OF LEXINGTON, TN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:46 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN5396L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 10 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:58
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data