Piper PA-32-300D accident near Chamblee, Georgia, August 16, 1991
On August 16, 1991 at about 5:36 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-300D, registered N4164W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chamblee, Georgia (Dekalb-Peachtree airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFT OFF WHEN HE FAILED TO IDENTIFY ROTATION AIRSPEED AND THE SUBSEQUENT INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 1991 · about 5:36 pm local time
- Place
- Chamblee, Georgia · Dekalb-Peachtree
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-300D · all PA-32-300Ds on the register
- Registration
- N4164W · no longer on the register · serial 32-40238
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT & HIS WIFE HAD PICKED UP THE AIRPLANE AFTER MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT ROTATED, HE SAID, AT WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS ROTATION SPEED. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE IN GROUND EFFECT. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE LEFT WING DROPPED, AS IT STALLED, & THE NOSE FELL THROUGH. THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED AS IT DESCENDED TO IMPACT ON THE LEFT WINGTIP. IN HIS REPORT THE PILOT SAID THAT HE ROTATED AT TOO SLOW AN AIRSPEED & FAILED TO APPLY SUFFICIENT RIGHT RUDDER.
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: 480 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 400 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 24, 1990; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 5N4 Lincolnton NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 2, 3,744 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:36 pm from PDK, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.