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NTSB Report
November 23, 1990 · Piper PA-28-140 · N7400J
Cheswold, DE
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 23, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Cheswold, DE
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N7400J
Operator
Farmer Mathew
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC91LA036
THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH TWO PASSENGERS AT NIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND APPROX 27 HOURS LATER. THE AIRPLANE HAD DEPARTED RUNWAY 27 AND THEN CONTACTED TREES LOCATED 600 FT OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY ON A HEADING OF 215 DEGREES. THE DEBRIS WAS SCATTERED ALONG A HEADING OF 285 DEGREES FOR 145 FEET. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREEXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE.
NTSB Probable Cause
A LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT, BY A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIS DECISION TO FLY AFTER HE RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFINGS WHICH INLCUDED 'VFR FLIGHT NOT RECOMMENDED'.
Full Narrative
THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH TWO PASSENGERS AT NIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND APPROX 27 HOURS LATER. THE AIRPLANE HAD DEPARTED RUNWAY 27 AND THEN CONTACTED TREES LOCATED 600 FT OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY ON A HEADING OF 215 DEGREES. THE DEBRIS WAS SCATTERED ALONG A HEADING OF 285 DEGREES FOR 145 FEET. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREEXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:10 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN7400J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFarmer Mathew
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 140
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind110° @ 3 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.60 inHg
Observation Time23:15
Weather SourceWFAC