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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 4, 1988 · Piper PA-28-180 · N9728J

Rock Springs, WY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Rock Springs, WY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N9728J
Operator
Tottenhoff D R /Jahr L W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN88FA121

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE ON THE SECOND LEG OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLT THE PLT INFORMED THE FSS LOCATED ON THE ARPT THAT HE WAS RETURNING. THE FSS TECHNICIAN ON DUTY OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN FINAL AT AN ABNORMALLY LOW ALTITUDE. THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. THE TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED RADIO CONTACT AND WHEN UNSUCCESSFUL SOUNDED THE CRASH ALARM. THE ACFT WAS FOUND APX 1500 FT SHORT OF THE RWY IN A GULLY. NO INDICATION OF DIFFICULTY WAS RADIOED BY THE PLT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED INADEQUATELY MAINTAINED MAGNETOES. THE PLT REPORTED TOTAL MEMORY LOSS OF THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE ON THE SECOND LEG OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLT THE PLT INFORMED THE FSS LOCATED ON THE ARPT THAT HE WAS RETURNING. THE FSS TECHNICIAN ON DUTY OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN FINAL AT AN ABNORMALLY LOW ALTITUDE. THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. THE TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED RADIO CONTACT AND WHEN UNSUCCESSFUL SOUNDED THE CRASH ALARM. THE ACFT WAS FOUND APX 1500 FT SHORT OF THE RWY IN A GULLY. NO INDICATION OF DIFFICULTY WAS RADIOED BY THE PLT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED INADEQUATELY MAINTAINED MAGNETOES. THE PLT REPORTED TOTAL MEMORY LOSS OF THE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 MDT
Nearest AirportRock Springs (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN9728J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorTottenhoff D R /Jahr L W
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 7 kt
Visibility90 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data