NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On January 12, 1995, at 1200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA- 28-161, N75PF, collided with trees on Walden Ridge, at the 1500 foot level, three miles southwest of Spring City, Tennessee. The business flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. At the nearest weather reporting station, visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. A witness near the accident site recalled a low cloud layer and visibility not greater than 1/2 mile. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces, and the pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Dekalb Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Chamblee, Georgia, at 1030 hours.

According to an official from Safety Air Flying Club (SAFA), the pilot departed (PDK) enroute to Lafayette, Tennessee to meet with a business client. The scheduled meeting never occurred because the pilot never arrived at his destination. Based upon radar data recovered from Atlanta Center, an extensive search was launched in the vicinity of Cartersville, Georgia; after several days the search was suspended.

After hearing about the missing airplane, a witness in Spring City, Tennessee, reported observing an airplane flying northwest toward Hinch Mountain late on the morning of the accident. The witness, also a pilot, was initially concerned because of the low clouds and the reduced visibility. The local Civil Air Patrol launched a search in the direction the airplane was last seen. The aircraft wreckage was located on the afternoon of January 21, 1995.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

Information on the pilot is included in this report at the data field labeled " First Pilot Information."The pilot's flight log was recovered and examined. The flight log examination also disclosed that the pilot completed a biennial flight review on February 19, 1992. The pilot's last third class medical certificate was dated December 3, 1992.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

Information on the aircraft is included in this report at the data field labeled "Aircraft Information."

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Visual weather conditions prevailed at the reporting facility at the time of the accident. According to a witness in the vicinity of the accident site, a cloud layer obscured the tops of the mountain. Recorded weather information in this report is located under the data field labeled "Weather Information."

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

An examination of the accident site disclosed that wreckage debris was scattered over an area 325 feet long and 75 feet wide. The wreckage path was oriented on a 310 degree magnetic heading. Examination of the accident site disclosed that the aircraft impacted trees 300 feet southeast of the main wreckage. The collision with the trees separated both wing assemblies from the airframe. The left wing was 150 feet southeast of the main wreckage, and the right wing was located 50 southeast of the main wreckage. Flight control cable installation and attachment were confirmed for both wing assemblies.

The main wreckage rested inverted on a 342 degree magnetic heading. Examination of the airframe disclosed that the horizontal and vertical stabilators were installed in their positions; both assemblies sustained impact damage. Despite impact damage, control cable attachment was confirmed to both empennage control surfaces.

The engine assembly was torn from the engine mounts, but remained with the main fuselage throughout the impact sequence. examination of the engine assembly revealed that the carburetor bowl had separated from the carburetor. During the field examination of the engine, the following: both magnetos produced ignition sparks, fuel was present on the fuel pump, spark plugs on the top right side were normal, and spark plugs on the left side were oil soaked, and engine continuity was established. Examination of the propeller assembly revealed chordwise damage along the leading edge of one blade.

The field examination of the aircraft failed to disclose a mechanical failure or system malfunction. The wreckage path examination also discovered a slash mark on a tree several feet southeast of the main wreckage.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The postmortem examination on the pilot was performed by Dr. Charles W. Harlan at the Tennessee Office Of the State Medical Examiners in Nashville on January 21, 1995. The cause of death was reported as multiple trauma secondary to the accident. The toxicological examinations were negative for alcohol and drugs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The wreckage was released to :

Mr. Chad Coogan (Insurance Adjustor) P.O. Box 628 Wentzville, Mo. 63385

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLISION WITH THE MOUNTAIN. A FACTOR WAS LOW CEILINGS.