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NTSB Report
November 9, 1988 · Piper PA-28-140 · N98185
Deane, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 9, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Deane, KY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N98185
Operator
Robert J Miller
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89LA030
WHILE EN ROUTE TO WISE, VIRGINIA FROM RICHMOND, KENTUCKY ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ON ROCKHOUSE MOUNTAIN. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE VICINITY OF THE SEPARATED LEFT WING/RUPTURED TANK. THE RIGHT WING WAS COMPLETELY SEVERED FROM THE FUSELAGE, HOWEVER, THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS INTACT AND CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY FOUR GALLONS OF FUEL. DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE PRECLUDED A TEST STAND RUN, HOWEVER, NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE NOTED DURING TEARDOWN EXAMINATION. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT WAS CIRCLING AROUND THE PASSENGER'S HOUSE SO THAT HE COULD OBSERVE IT FROM THE AIR.
Full Narrative
WHILE EN ROUTE TO WISE, VIRGINIA FROM RICHMOND, KENTUCKY ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ON ROCKHOUSE MOUNTAIN. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE VICINITY OF THE SEPARATED LEFT WING/RUPTURED TANK. THE RIGHT WING WAS COMPLETELY SEVERED FROM THE FUSELAGE, HOWEVER, THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS INTACT AND CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY FOUR GALLONS OF FUEL. DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE PRECLUDED A TEST STAND RUN, HOWEVER, NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE NOTED DURING TEARDOWN EXAMINATION. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT WAS CIRCLING AROUND THE PASSENGER'S HOUSE SO THAT HE COULD OBSERVE IT FROM THE AIR.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN98185
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert J Miller
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO