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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 27, 1988 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8033Y

Molino, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 27, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Molino, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8033Y
Operator
Sierra Joseph J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA89FA044

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT WAS ADZD OF AN APCHG COLD FRONT IN THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE AS WELL AS A FORECAST OF HVY THUNDER- STORM ACTIVITY IN THE AREA OF PENSACOLA. EN ROUTE, HE WAS PROVIDED VFR FLT FOLLOWING FROM PENSACOLA APCH CTL WHILE CRUISING AT 6500 FT. OTHER FLTS THAT WERE OPERATING IN THE AREA AT LOWER ALTITUDE WERE DEVIATING AROUND WX TO REMAIN IN VFR CONDS. AT ABOUT 1214 CST, THE ACFT ENTERED A RAPID DSCNT. SUBSEQUENTLY, AN INFLT BREAKUP OF THE ACFT OCCURRED & WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER A 1735 FT AREA. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT JUST BEFORE IMPACT, THEY HEARD THE ENG ROARING IN THE CLOUDS. THEY RPRTD THE ACFT CAME OUT OF A CLOUD BASE & SHED ITS WINGS & TAIL BEFORE CRASHING. THEY ALSO RPRTD LOW CLOUDSIN THE VICINITY WITH GUSTY SURFACE WINDS & RAIN. AN EXAM REVEALED THE WINGS & TAIL SURFACES HAD SEPD IN OVERLOAD. NO PRE-ACDNT FAILURE, MALFUNCTION OR FATIGUE OF THE ACFT WAS FND. THE ACFT WAS ESTD TO BE 254 LBS OVER ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT & THE CG WAS ESTD TO BE .1 INCH BEHIND THE AFT LIMIT. THE PLT'S MED CERT WAS DATED 10/16/86.

Full Narrative

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT WAS ADZD OF AN APCHG COLD FRONT IN THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE AS WELL AS A FORECAST OF HVY THUNDER- STORM ACTIVITY IN THE AREA OF PENSACOLA. EN ROUTE, HE WAS PROVIDED VFR FLT FOLLOWING FROM PENSACOLA APCH CTL WHILE CRUISING AT 6500 FT. OTHER FLTS THAT WERE OPERATING IN THE AREA AT LOWER ALTITUDE WERE DEVIATING AROUND WX TO REMAIN IN VFR CONDS. AT ABOUT 1214 CST, THE ACFT ENTERED A RAPID DSCNT. SUBSEQUENTLY, AN INFLT BREAKUP OF THE ACFT OCCURRED & WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER A 1735 FT AREA. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT JUST BEFORE IMPACT, THEY HEARD THE ENG ROARING IN THE CLOUDS. THEY RPRTD THE ACFT CAME OUT OF A CLOUD BASE & SHED ITS WINGS & TAIL BEFORE CRASHING. THEY ALSO RPRTD LOW CLOUDSIN THE VICINITY WITH GUSTY SURFACE WINDS & RAIN. AN EXAM REVEALED THE WINGS & TAIL SURFACES HAD SEPD IN OVERLOAD. NO PRE-ACDNT FAILURE, MALFUNCTION OR FATIGUE OF THE ACFT WAS FND. THE ACFT WAS ESTD TO BE 254 LBS OVER ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT & THE CG WAS ESTD TO BE .1 INCH BEHIND THE AFT LIMIT. THE PLT'S MED CERT WAS DATED 10/16/86.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:14 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8033Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSierra Joseph J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data