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April 20, 1982 · Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 · N165MA

Lafayette, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1982
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (6 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Lafayette, GA
Aircraft
Mitsubishi MU-2B-30
Tail Number
N165MA
Operator
Campbell Taggart
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82FA110

DRG THE WX BRIEFING THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CEILINGS & POOR VISIBILITY. THE PLT RESPONDED HE HAD TO GO TO FT. PAYNE VFR BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH. A JEPPESEN US (LO)29 LOW ALT ENROUTE CHART WAS FOUND AT THE WRECKAGE THAT HAD A LINE DRAWN TRAVERSING SW OUT OF THE CHATTANOOGA VOR BETWEEN V-115 & V-115E. THE MEA FOR THESE AIRWAYS WAS 4,000 FT MSL. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PLT AS ADVISED THAT TOPS WERE REPORTED 4,500 FT WITH ANOTHER LAYER AT 9,000 FT. THE PLT RESPONDED HE WAS GOING TO FT. PAYNE & THEY HAD NO APPROACH THERE. APPROXIMATELY 2-1/2 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REPORTED "...LOOKS LIKE ABOUT 1500 IS ALL WE'RE GONNA GET RIGHT NOW." ABOUT 7 MIN LATER THE PLT REPORTED THEY WERE STILL VFR BUT MIGHT WANT TO TURN AROUND. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TOP OF A NORTH/SOUTH RIDGELINEAT AN ELEVATION OF 2,020 FT. THE COPILOT WAS PART OF THE COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT TEAM.

Full Narrative

DRG THE WX BRIEFING THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CEILINGS & POOR VISIBILITY. THE PLT RESPONDED HE HAD TO GO TO FT. PAYNE VFR BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH. A JEPPESEN US (LO)29 LOW ALT ENROUTE CHART WAS FOUND AT THE WRECKAGE THAT HAD A LINE DRAWN TRAVERSING SW OUT OF THE CHATTANOOGA VOR BETWEEN V-115 & V-115E. THE MEA FOR THESE AIRWAYS WAS 4,000 FT MSL. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PLT AS ADVISED THAT TOPS WERE REPORTED 4,500 FT WITH ANOTHER LAYER AT 9,000 FT. THE PLT RESPONDED HE WAS GOING TO FT. PAYNE & THEY HAD NO APPROACH THERE. APPROXIMATELY 2-1/2 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REPORTED "...LOOKS LIKE ABOUT 1500 IS ALL WE'RE GONNA GET RIGHT NOW." ABOUT 7 MIN LATER THE PLT REPORTED THEY WERE STILL VFR BUT MIGHT WANT TO TURN AROUND. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TOP OF A NORTH/SOUTH RIDGELINEAT AN ELEVATION OF 2,020 FT. THE COPILOT WAS PART OF THE COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT TEAM.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:23 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMitsubishi MU-2B-30
Tail NumberN165MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCampbell Taggart
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsAiresearch · TPE-331-151A · Turboprop · 705
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary7 injuries (6 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal6
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 1300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point13 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:51

Appendix: Source Data