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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 13, 1983 · Piper PA-24-260B · N8981P

Mcdonald, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 13, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Mcdonald, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260B
Tail Number
N8981P
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL84FA064

THE PLT RECEIVED 2 WX BRIEFINGS BEFORE TAKEOFF & WAS PROVIDED FLT PRECAUTIONS OF IMC TO CONTINUE BEYOND 0900 EST. ALSO, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE MOUNTAINS WOULD BE OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED & ICING COULD BE EXPECTED TO THE WEST BELOW 6000 FT. DURING BOTH BRIEFINGS, HE REPORTED HIS INTENTIONS TO FLY UNDER IFR; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN. AFTER HIS LAST BRIEFING, HE SAID HE WOULD CALL BACK AFTER REVIEWING HIS CHARTS. BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PLT ADVISED GROUND CONTROL HE PLANNED TO CRUISE 'JUST AROUND 1100, RIGHT UNDER THE DECK.' HE TOOK OFF AT APRX 0845. AT 0853, RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED, 9 MI EAST OF THE ARPT & NO FURTHER CONTACT WAS MADE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 75 FT BELOW THE SUMMIT OF WHITE OAK MOUNTAIN, ABOUT 10 MI NE OF THE ARPT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT MAD IMPACTED IN AN APPARENT NOSE LEVEL, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE EVIDENT. LOCAL RESIDENTS REPORTED LOW CLOUDS WHICH OBSCURED THE HILL TOPS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RECEIVED 2 WX BRIEFINGS BEFORE TAKEOFF & WAS PROVIDED FLT PRECAUTIONS OF IMC TO CONTINUE BEYOND 0900 EST. ALSO, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE MOUNTAINS WOULD BE OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED & ICING COULD BE EXPECTED TO THE WEST BELOW 6000 FT. DURING BOTH BRIEFINGS, HE REPORTED HIS INTENTIONS TO FLY UNDER IFR; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN. AFTER HIS LAST BRIEFING, HE SAID HE WOULD CALL BACK AFTER REVIEWING HIS CHARTS. BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PLT ADVISED GROUND CONTROL HE PLANNED TO CRUISE 'JUST AROUND 1100, RIGHT UNDER THE DECK.' HE TOOK OFF AT APRX 0845. AT 0853, RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED, 9 MI EAST OF THE ARPT & NO FURTHER CONTACT WAS MADE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 75 FT BELOW THE SUMMIT OF WHITE OAK MOUNTAIN, ABOUT 10 MI NE OF THE ARPT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT MAD IMPACTED IN AN APPARENT NOSE LEVEL, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE EVIDENT. LOCAL RESIDENTS REPORTED LOW CLOUDS WHICH OBSCURED THE HILL TOPS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event TimeUTC
Nearest Airport11nm NE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-260B
Tail NumberN8981P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data