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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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December 4, 1988 · Piper PA-28-181 · N2179Y

Chambersburg, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Chambersburg, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N2179Y
Operator
George Glomeau
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89LA042

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28 WAS AT CRUISE ALTITUDE AND GETTING ADVISORIES FROM ATC. ATC GAVE HIM A SIGMET FOR TURBULENCE WHEN HE NOTED HIS FUEL WAS GETTING LOW. HE DECIDED TO LAND AT A NEARBY AIRPORT AND WAS TOLD BY ATC THAT THE AIRPORT HE WANTED WAS AT HIS 12 O'CLOCK POSITION AND 8 MILES. RADAR SERVICE WAS THEN TERMINATED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT COULD NOT FIND THE AIRPORT AND TRIED TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY. AS HE LINED UP WITH THE HIGHWAY TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SOME TREES AND A ROAD SIGN. WHEN THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE ACFT SLID 150-200 FT BEFORE STOPPING AGAINST A GUARD RAIL.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28 WAS AT CRUISE ALTITUDE AND GETTING ADVISORIES FROM ATC. ATC GAVE HIM A SIGMET FOR TURBULENCE WHEN HE NOTED HIS FUEL WAS GETTING LOW. HE DECIDED TO LAND AT A NEARBY AIRPORT AND WAS TOLD BY ATC THAT THE AIRPORT HE WANTED WAS AT HIS 12 O'CLOCK POSITION AND 8 MILES. RADAR SERVICE WAS THEN TERMINATED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT COULD NOT FIND THE AIRPORT AND TRIED TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY. AS HE LINED UP WITH THE HIGHWAY TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SOME TREES AND A ROAD SIGN. WHEN THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE ACFT SLID 150-200 FT BEFORE STOPPING AGAINST A GUARD RAIL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:15 EST
Nearest AirportChambersburg (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN2179Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGeorge Glomeau
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind280° @ 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data