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November 5, 1988 · Piper PA-28R-201T PA-28R-201 · N39550

Bridgeport, WV

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 5, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Bridgeport, WV
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201T PA-28R-201
Tail Number
N39550
Operator
Fred W Kruse
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89FA024

THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO EXECUTE A VISUAL APPROACH TO RWY 21 AND WAS ISSUED THE CURRENT ALT SETTING OF 29.60' HG. THE APPROACH WAS MADE UNDER DARK NIGHT AND GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS TO A LIGHTED RUNWAY IN RURAL MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN. DURING FINAL APPROACH THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE LOCATED APPROX 3,500' FROM RWY 21 AT APPROX 1,300' MSL. THE APRT ELEVATION WAS 1,203' MSL. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST AT APPROX 1,280' MSL ON A HILLSIDE. A PHOTO WAS TAKEN BY RESCUE WORKERS THAT SHOWS THE ALT INDICATING 1,430' MSL. THE ALT SETTING FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE WAS 29.74' HG. THE PLT COULD NOT RECALL SETTING THE ALT PRIOR TO THE APPROACH. THE ALT WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT NO PRE-IMPACT DEFICIENCIES WERE PRESENT IN THE ACFT AND COULD NOT RECALL THE ACCIDENT. WINDS WERE RECORDED AS GUSTING TO 18 KNOTS AND WHEN THE TOWER CLEARED THE ACFT TO LAND THE CONTROLLER STATED THAT THEY WERE GUSTING TO 16 KNOTS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO EXECUTE A VISUAL APPROACH TO RWY 21 AND WAS ISSUED THE CURRENT ALT SETTING OF 29.60' HG. THE APPROACH WAS MADE UNDER DARK NIGHT AND GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS TO A LIGHTED RUNWAY IN RURAL MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN. DURING FINAL APPROACH THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE LOCATED APPROX 3,500' FROM RWY 21 AT APPROX 1,300' MSL. THE APRT ELEVATION WAS 1,203' MSL. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST AT APPROX 1,280' MSL ON A HILLSIDE. A PHOTO WAS TAKEN BY RESCUE WORKERS THAT SHOWS THE ALT INDICATING 1,430' MSL. THE ALT SETTING FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE WAS 29.74' HG. THE PLT COULD NOT RECALL SETTING THE ALT PRIOR TO THE APPROACH. THE ALT WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT NO PRE-IMPACT DEFICIENCIES WERE PRESENT IN THE ACFT AND COULD NOT RECALL THE ACCIDENT. WINDS WERE RECORDED AS GUSTING TO 18 KNOTS AND WHEN THE TOWER CLEARED THE ACFT TO LAND THE CONTROLLER STATED THAT THEY WERE GUSTING TO 16 KNOTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:41 EST
Nearest AirportBENEDUM (0nm N)
Runway21
Runway Length5198 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-201T PA-28R-201
Tail NumberN39550
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFred W Kruse
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind150° @ 8 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data