Piper PA-32-300 accident near Atlanta, Georgia, February 6, 2002
On February 6, 2002 at about 7:02 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-300, registered N4105W, was destroyed in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot experienced spatial disorientation that resulted in the loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 6, 2002 · about 7:02 pm local time
- Place
- Atlanta, Georgia · Atlanta · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-300 · all PA-32-300s on the register
- Registration
- N4105W · no longer on the register · serial 32-40168
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The recently instrument-rated pilot departed on an instrument flight in instrument meteorological conditions with low ceilings and turbulence. Radar data showed the airplane climbed to the assigned altitude but failed to maintain the assigned heading. Radar data indicated the airplane flew a path that included two wide, constant-rate, 360-degree turns to the right. Air traffic controllers twice reassigned the heading, and the pilot acknowledged the instructions each time. About eight minutes after departure, the pilot reported the airplane was in a spin, and the airplane impacted terrain seconds later in a steep, nose-down attitude less than two miles from the airport. The wreckage was found scattered along a path 200 feet long by 80 feet wide in a wooded area. Fuel was present at the site, and examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction of the engine, airframe, or recovered instruments.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 215 hours in all; 152 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 157 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,694 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 12, 2001; 137 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Avco Lycoming IO-540K1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PDK Atlanta GA at 6:54 pm
- Destination: SAV Savannah GA
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 600 ft
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 6:45 pm from PDK, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.