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November 26, 1988 · Piper PA-28-140 · N98369

Concord, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 26, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Concord, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N98369
Operator
Cherokee Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89FA045

PIC & WIFE FLEW TO LOCAL RESIDENTIAL AREA TO PHOTOGRAPH A HOUSE. THE ACFT WAS FLOWN IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. RADAR DATA DISPLAYED THE ACFT IN A LEVEL LEFT TURN AT 2300 FEET (1700 AGL) FOR ABOUT 50 SECONDS WHEN CONTACT WAS ABRUPTLY LOST. WITNESSES ALSO REPORTED THE AIRPLANE IN A LEFT CIRCLE WHEN THE BANK STEEPENED, THE NOSE DROPPED, AND IT DESCENDED STEEPLY UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT IMPACT & WITNESSES RPTED STRONG ENGINE SOUNDS DURING THE DESCENT. PIC RPTED ON HIS LAST MEDICAL REQUEST THAT HE USED RITALIN OCCASIONALLY FOR DROWSINESS. TOX EXAM SHOWED PRESENCE OF THERAPEUTIC LEVEL OF DRUG IN THE PIC.

Full Narrative

PIC & WIFE FLEW TO LOCAL RESIDENTIAL AREA TO PHOTOGRAPH A HOUSE. THE ACFT WAS FLOWN IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. RADAR DATA DISPLAYED THE ACFT IN A LEVEL LEFT TURN AT 2300 FEET (1700 AGL) FOR ABOUT 50 SECONDS WHEN CONTACT WAS ABRUPTLY LOST. WITNESSES ALSO REPORTED THE AIRPLANE IN A LEFT CIRCLE WHEN THE BANK STEEPENED, THE NOSE DROPPED, AND IT DESCENDED STEEPLY UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT IMPACT & WITNESSES RPTED STRONG ENGINE SOUNDS DURING THE DESCENT. PIC RPTED ON HIS LAST MEDICAL REQUEST THAT HE USED RITALIN OCCASIONALLY FOR DROWSINESS. TOX EXAM SHOWED PRESENCE OF THERAPEUTIC LEVEL OF DRUG IN THE PIC.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:17 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN98369
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCherokee Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 140
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data