Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32 near Atlanta, GA — 2008-09-23

Final reportNYC08FA319
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Date
2008-09-23
Location
Atlanta, GA, USA
Airport
PDK
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32
Registration
N3029Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The day prior to the accident, the 5,000-hour pilot flew his Beechcraft from Michigan to Georgia in order to rendezvous with a Piper flown in from Florida, with the intent of taking the Piper in trade for the Beechcraft. Shortly after the two airplanes arrived at the Georgia airport, the Beechcraft pilot conducted a pre-buy examination of the Piper, which lasted about 1 hour, and the airplane exchange was concluded later that day. The following day, the pilot was observed to preflight the Piper, and to taxi it from the ramp for departure about 45 minutes after he arrived at the airplane. Eight minutes later, the airplane was cleared for takeoff, and for about 90 seconds, the airplane climbed out at approximately 500 feet per minute (fpm). The pilot then declared an emergency, and requested a return to the airport. While executing the turn back toward the airport, the airplane entered a descent of approximately 2,600 fpm, and impacted trees and terrain in a residential neighborhood about 1-3/4 miles from the airport. Some exterior portions of the airplane skin exhibited an unusual oil coating, but this was determined to be a result of the impact sequence. No evidence of any pilot medical issues, or airplane anomalies such as opened doors or loose panels, that may have prompted the pilot's decision to return, or resulted in the airplane's rapid descent, was discovered.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not respond to ATC after takeoff, indicating potential loss of situational awareness.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • Video
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 21 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents21

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