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October 9, 1988 · Piper PA-18-135 · N8179C

Akron, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 9, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Akron, NY
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-135
Tail Number
N8179C
Operator
Western New York Flying Club
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89FA007

THE PIPER PA-18-135 STALLED ON TAKEOFF AND CRASHED. WITNESSES SAID THEY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT NOSE HIGH, NOT CLIMBING, AND AT A SLOW AIRSPEED. THEY REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT BANKED LEFT AND STRUCK TREES. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED THROUGH THE TREES TO THE GROUND AND CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE CFI SAID HE WAS BURNED WHILE ESCAPING THE AIRCRAFT. THE PVT PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION WAS UNABLE TO ESCAPE AND DIED OF BURNS. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH EITHER THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME. THE AIRCRAFT LOGBOOK INCORRECTLY INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT GROSS WEIGHT WAS 250 LBS TOO HIGH. THIS CONDITION HAD EXISTED SINCE 5/19/80. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE AIRCRAFT WAS 131 LBS OVER THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT OF 1500 LBS.

Full Narrative

THE PIPER PA-18-135 STALLED ON TAKEOFF AND CRASHED. WITNESSES SAID THEY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT NOSE HIGH, NOT CLIMBING, AND AT A SLOW AIRSPEED. THEY REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT BANKED LEFT AND STRUCK TREES. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED THROUGH THE TREES TO THE GROUND AND CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE CFI SAID HE WAS BURNED WHILE ESCAPING THE AIRCRAFT. THE PVT PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION WAS UNABLE TO ESCAPE AND DIED OF BURNS. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH EITHER THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME. THE AIRCRAFT LOGBOOK INCORRECTLY INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT GROSS WEIGHT WAS 250 LBS TOO HIGH. THIS CONDITION HAD EXISTED SINCE 5/19/80. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE AIRCRAFT WAS 131 LBS OVER THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT OF 1500 LBS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:47 EDT
Nearest AirportAKRON (0nm N)
Runway6
Runway Length3310 ft
Runway Width48 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-135
Tail NumberN8179C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWestern New York Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D2 · Reciprocating · 135
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data