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NTSB Report
October 20, 1988 · Beech A24R · N1RJ
Blue Bell, PA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Blue Bell, PA
Aircraft
Beech A24R
Tail Number
N1RJ
Operator
Flying Musketeers of Rochester
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89FA015
AFTER FLYING IFR FROM ROCHESTER, NEW YORK TO THE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA AREA, THE PILOT CANCELLED IFR AND FLEW A VFR LEFT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RUNWAY 24 AT BLUE BELL AIRPORT. WITNESSES SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE APPEARED LOW AND CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT FOR A DOWNWIND. DURING THE BASE LEG TURN TO THE LEFT THE ANGLE OF BANK INCREASED TO ABOUT SIXTY DEGREES. THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED BELOW THE TREE LINE.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER VFR PROCEDURES, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTIAN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED FOR THE ATTITUDE OF FLIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE CAUSING IT TO STALL AND COLLIDE WITH TREES AND A POWERLINE DURING RECOVERY.
Full Narrative
AFTER FLYING IFR FROM ROCHESTER, NEW YORK TO THE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA AREA, THE PILOT CANCELLED IFR AND FLEW A VFR LEFT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RUNWAY 24 AT BLUE BELL AIRPORT. WITNESSES SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE APPEARED LOW AND CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT FOR A DOWNWIND. DURING THE BASE LEG TURN TO THE LEFT THE ANGLE OF BANK INCREASED TO ABOUT SIXTY DEGREES. THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED BELOW THE TREE LINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:34 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftBeech A24R
Tail NumberN1RJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFlying Musketeers of Rochester
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1B · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT