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NTSB Report
February 20, 1988 · Piper PA-31-325 · N27400
Hamilton Twp., NJ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Hamilton Twp., NJ
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-325
Tail Number
N27400
Operator
Atlantic City Air Taxi
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC88FA087
THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AT APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE FINAL ON A NIGHT ILS RWY 13 APPROACH. RADAR DATA INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT COMPLETED ALMOST 180 DEGREES OF TURN PRIOR TO DISAPPEARING. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA. NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING FAILURE ON THE ENGINES OR AIRFRAME WAS FOUND. WHEN THE FLYING HISTORY OF THE PILOT WAS EXAMINED, THE HOURS PRESENTED ON HIS RESUME EXCEEDED HIS LOG BOOK AND HIS LOG BOOK HOURS COULD NOT BE TOTALLY VERIFIED. THE CO-PILOT DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT RATING. THE PILOT THAT PRECEDED THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT ON THE APPROACH SAID HE EXPERIENCED MODERATE TURBULENCE, WIND SHEAR AND THAT THE APPROACH LIGHTS WERE VERY DISTRACTING. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED WIND SHEAR AND MODERATE TURBULENCE.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AT APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE FINAL ON A NIGHT ILS RWY 13 APPROACH. RADAR DATA INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT COMPLETED ALMOST 180 DEGREES OF TURN PRIOR TO DISAPPEARING. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA. NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING FAILURE ON THE ENGINES OR AIRFRAME WAS FOUND. WHEN THE FLYING HISTORY OF THE PILOT WAS EXAMINED, THE HOURS PRESENTED ON HIS RESUME EXCEEDED HIS LOG BOOK AND HIS LOG BOOK HOURS COULD NOT BE TOTALLY VERIFIED. THE CO-PILOT DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT RATING. THE PILOT THAT PRECEDED THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT ON THE APPROACH SAID HE EXPERIENCED MODERATE TURBULENCE, WIND SHEAR AND THAT THE APPROACH LIGHTS WERE VERY DISTRACTING. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED WIND SHEAR AND MODERATE TURBULENCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:02 EST
Nearest AirportAtlantic City (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width180 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31-325
Tail NumberN27400
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAtlantic City Air Taxi
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-F2BD · Reciprocating · 325
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind160° @ 15 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:00
Weather SourceWFAC