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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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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February 21, 1989 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N1139X

Tipp City, OH

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 21, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Tipp City, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N1139X
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89FA090

PIC HAD NOT FLOWN FOR 10 YRS. BOUGHT ACFT & FLEW ON FAMILY VACATION FOR TWO DAYS & HEADED HOME. AT REFUEL STOP CHECKED WX & NOTED LOW CEILINGS AT DESTINATION. PIC FLEW TO DESTINATION TERMINAL AREA, OBTAINED WX FROM ATC & REQUESTED VOR APPROACH. ACFT NOT EQUIPPED FOR APPROACH. ACFT ALSO NOT IFR CERTIFIED & NAV INSTRUMENTS WERE NOT CHECKED FOR CORRECT OPERATION. PIC FLEW IN IMC ABOUT TWO HOURS, EXECUTING SEVEN UNSUCCESSFUL APPROACHES; VOR, LOC, AND ILS. FUEL WAS EVENTUALLY EXHAUSTED & ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER PLANNING BY THE PILOT RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOTS LACK OF EQUIPMENT AND ABILITY TO HANDLE THE WEATHER SITUATION WAS IGNORED BY THE PILOT IN HIS PLANNING FOR THE FLIGHT.

Full Narrative

PIC HAD NOT FLOWN FOR 10 YRS. BOUGHT ACFT & FLEW ON FAMILY VACATION FOR TWO DAYS & HEADED HOME. AT REFUEL STOP CHECKED WX & NOTED LOW CEILINGS AT DESTINATION. PIC FLEW TO DESTINATION TERMINAL AREA, OBTAINED WX FROM ATC & REQUESTED VOR APPROACH. ACFT NOT EQUIPPED FOR APPROACH. ACFT ALSO NOT IFR CERTIFIED & NAV INSTRUMENTS WERE NOT CHECKED FOR CORRECT OPERATION. PIC FLEW IN IMC ABOUT TWO HOURS, EXECUTING SEVEN UNSUCCESSFUL APPROACHES; VOR, LOC, AND ILS. FUEL WAS EVENTUALLY EXHAUSTED & ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:24 EST
Nearest AirportCox-Dayton International (2nm ENE)
Runway24
Runway Length9500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN1139X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:36
Weather SourceWFAC

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