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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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October 13, 1994 · Piper PA-22-108 · N4878Z

Beans Cove, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Beans Cove, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-108
Tail Number
N4878Z
Operator
William D Robosson
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC95LA007

The pilot was doing a low pass over his property when the airplane struck a tree and descended nose down to the ground. According to the pilot, he applied full power to clear a power line during which the airplane struck a tree. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance which resulted in an inflight collision with a tree.

Full Narrative

On October 13, 1994 about 1140 eastern daylight time, N4878Z, a Piper PA-22-108 airplane, a personal flight, collided with a tree during a low pass near Beans Cove, Pennsylvania. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The certificated private pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was destroyed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, "I came through making a low pass. I gave full power to climb out, climbed over a power line and trees at that point. I started to level out, and at that point, the right side hit a tree top that I had not seen. The plane nosed over and ended nose first on the ground." The FAA interviewed the pilot, and a witness of the accident. According to the FAA, the pilot reported the low pass was over his property. He also stated the engine operated satisfactory. The witness indicated "the airplane landed, flew again, then hit a tree.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-108
Tail NumberN4878Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliam D Robosson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data