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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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NTSB Report

June 26, 1988 · Piper PA-28-236 · N2889N

Anson, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Anson, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-236
Tail Number
N2889N
Operator
Gladys Harr
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW88FA125

THE PLT ENCOUNTERED FORECAST TSTMS EN ROUTE. AT 1430 CDT, THE PLT HAD RPTD 2400 FT MSL, CLIMBING TO HIS CRUISE ALTITUDE AT 8000 FT. AT 1440, THE PLT REQUESTED, AND DEVIATION AROUND WEATHER WAS APPROVED. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT FURTHER DIFFICULTY, BUT LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE ACFT OCCURRED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. WEATHER AND RADAR DATA INDICATE THAT THE AIRPLANE BROKE UP NEAR THE EDGE OF A LEVEL TWO THUNDERSTORM. HEAVY RAIN AND LIGHTNING WERE REPORTED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE OUTBOARD END OF THE LEFT WING AND THE STABILATOR HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. THE LEFT WING FAILED IN POSITIVE OVERLOAD. ALTHOUGH THE RIGHT WING HAD NOT SEPARATED, IT ALSO REVEALED DAMAGE FM HIGH POSITIVE LOADING. THE STABILATOR FRACTURES INDICATED TORSIONAL OVERLOAD. BOTH PLTS HELD PVT PILOT CERTIFICATES AND WERE INSTRUMENT-RATED.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION-PIC; FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, INADVERTENT-PIC; DESIGN STRESS LIMITS EXCEEDED BY PIC; THUNDERSTORM

Full Narrative

THE PLT ENCOUNTERED FORECAST TSTMS EN ROUTE. AT 1430 CDT, THE PLT HAD RPTD 2400 FT MSL, CLIMBING TO HIS CRUISE ALTITUDE AT 8000 FT. AT 1440, THE PLT REQUESTED, AND DEVIATION AROUND WEATHER WAS APPROVED. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT FURTHER DIFFICULTY, BUT LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE ACFT OCCURRED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. WEATHER AND RADAR DATA INDICATE THAT THE AIRPLANE BROKE UP NEAR THE EDGE OF A LEVEL TWO THUNDERSTORM. HEAVY RAIN AND LIGHTNING WERE REPORTED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE OUTBOARD END OF THE LEFT WING AND THE STABILATOR HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. THE LEFT WING FAILED IN POSITIVE OVERLOAD. ALTHOUGH THE RIGHT WING HAD NOT SEPARATED, IT ALSO REVEALED DAMAGE FM HIGH POSITIVE LOADING. THE STABILATOR FRACTURES INDICATED TORSIONAL OVERLOAD. BOTH PLTS HELD PVT PILOT CERTIFICATES AND WERE INSTRUMENT-RATED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:47 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-236
Tail NumberN2889N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGladys Harr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-J3A5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data