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NTSB Report
February 6, 1990 · Piper PA-28-161 · N4338U
Norris, TN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 6, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Norris, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N4338U
Operator
Volunteer Avi of Knoxville
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL90FA061
AFTER COMPLETING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE STUDENT PLANNED AND FLEW HIS 1ST CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. DURING THE PLANNING HE ASKED HIS INSTRUCTOR IF HE COULD FLY TO THE TOWN WHERE HIS PARENTS LIVED. HE WAS TOLD NO & ASSIGNED AN AIRPORT TO FLY TO, MAKE ONE LANDING, AND RETURN. AFTER COMPLETING THE LANDING AT HIS ASSIGNED DESTINATION, THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN SEEN OVER HIS PARENT'S HOUSE ABOUT 34 NMI WEST OF THE AIRPORT. IT WAS 23 NMI NORTH OF HIS HOME AIRPORT. WITNESSES BRIEFLY SAW THE AIRPLANE, IN A DESCENT, JUST BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH TREES. IT THEN ROLLED AND DOVE INTO THE GROUND ONTO A WOODED LOT NEXT TO HIS PARENT'S HOUSE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE STUDENT PILOT'S MISJUDGED DESCENT WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES AND THE GROUND. A FACTOR WAS THAT THE PILOT WAS BUZZING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
Full Narrative
AFTER COMPLETING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE STUDENT PLANNED AND FLEW HIS 1ST CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. DURING THE PLANNING HE ASKED HIS INSTRUCTOR IF HE COULD FLY TO THE TOWN WHERE HIS PARENTS LIVED. HE WAS TOLD NO & ASSIGNED AN AIRPORT TO FLY TO, MAKE ONE LANDING, AND RETURN. AFTER COMPLETING THE LANDING AT HIS ASSIGNED DESTINATION, THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN SEEN OVER HIS PARENT'S HOUSE ABOUT 34 NMI WEST OF THE AIRPORT. IT WAS 23 NMI NORTH OF HIS HOME AIRPORT. WITNESSES BRIEFLY SAW THE AIRPLANE, IN A DESCENT, JUST BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH TREES. IT THEN ROLLED AND DOVE INTO THE GROUND ONTO A WOODED LOT NEXT TO HIS PARENT'S HOUSE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:12 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN4338U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorVolunteer Avi of Knoxville
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:37
Weather SourceWFAC