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NTSB Report
April 6, 1988 · Piper PA-28-140 · N1719J
Manassas, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Manassas, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N1719J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO88FA034
THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED WAYCROSS, GA, ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT FOR A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO MANASSAS, VA. DURING THE APPROACH INTO MANASSAS, THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED TREES OFF THE APPROACH ENDS OF RWYS 34L AND 34R. BOTH RWYS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME AND IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED INTO AN OPEN FIELD SHORT OF THE AIRPORT BETWEEN THE EXTENDED CENTERLINES OF THE RUNWAYS. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE OR THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. THE VASI LIGHTS HAD BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE APPROACHES TO RUNWAYS 34L AND 34R WERE DESCRIBED BY PILOTS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT AS BEING LIKE A 'BLACK HOLE' DUE TO THE LACK OF VISUAL REFERENCES OVER THE TREES AND FIELD.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED WAYCROSS, GA, ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT FOR A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO MANASSAS, VA. DURING THE APPROACH INTO MANASSAS, THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED TREES OFF THE APPROACH ENDS OF RWYS 34L AND 34R. BOTH RWYS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME AND IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED INTO AN OPEN FIELD SHORT OF THE AIRPORT BETWEEN THE EXTENDED CENTERLINES OF THE RUNWAYS. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE OR THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. THE VASI LIGHTS HAD BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE APPROACHES TO RUNWAYS 34L AND 34R WERE DESCRIBED BY PILOTS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT AS BEING LIKE A 'BLACK HOLE' DUE TO THE LACK OF VISUAL REFERENCES OVER THE TREES AND FIELD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:35 EDT
Nearest AirportMANASSAS (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN1719J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC