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NTSB Report
October 16, 1991 · Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20 · N83027
Spring Lake, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Spring Lake, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail Number
N83027
Operator
Carite Charles
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL92FA008
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT REPORTED TO APPROACH CONTROL THAT HE WAS IN THE CLOUDS, AND MAKING A 180 DEGREE TURN. A PILOT WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT EXITED THE BASE OF THE CLOUD LAYER IN A 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, AND IN A 20 DEGREE LEFT BANK. THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THE SPEED OF THE AIRCRAFT TO BE APPROXIMATELY 250 KNOTS. THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR THE AIRCRAFT LISTS THE MAXIMUM MANEUVERING SPEED AT 121 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK HIGH POWER LINES AND CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. THE LEFT AND RIGHT WINGS OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE FOUND BENEATH THE POWER LINES, AND DID NOT SHOW ANY INDICATION OF HAVING STRUCK THE POWER LINES. THE SPAR FRACTURES IN THE WINGS WERE IN AN UPWARD OR POSITIVE DIRECTION. A LARGE PIECE OF THE 1 1/4 INCH DIAMETER POWER CABLE WAS FOUND WRAPPED AROUND THE PROPELLER HUB AND PROPELLER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE INADVERTENT FLIGHT FROM VISUAL FLIGHT RULES FLIGHT CONDITIONS INTO INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES FLIGHT CONDITIONS BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT REPORTED TO APPROACH CONTROL THAT HE WAS IN THE CLOUDS, AND MAKING A 180 DEGREE TURN. A PILOT WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT EXITED THE BASE OF THE CLOUD LAYER IN A 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, AND IN A 20 DEGREE LEFT BANK. THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THE SPEED OF THE AIRCRAFT TO BE APPROXIMATELY 250 KNOTS. THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR THE AIRCRAFT LISTS THE MAXIMUM MANEUVERING SPEED AT 121 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK HIGH POWER LINES AND CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. THE LEFT AND RIGHT WINGS OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE FOUND BENEATH THE POWER LINES, AND DID NOT SHOW ANY INDICATION OF HAVING STRUCK THE POWER LINES. THE SPAR FRACTURES IN THE WINGS WERE IN AN UPWARD OR POSITIVE DIRECTION. A LARGE PIECE OF THE 1 1/4 INCH DIAMETER POWER CABLE WAS FOUND WRAPPED AROUND THE PROPELLER HUB AND PROPELLER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:14 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail NumberN83027
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCarite Charles
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO=360-FB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 10 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:45
Weather SourceWFAC