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NTSB Report
July 17, 1989 · Piper PA-28-236 · N2829D
Thomasville, PA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 17, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Thomasville, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-236
Tail Number
N2829D
Operator
Roy Brotherhood/K Mitzel
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89FA166
THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA28-236 WAS CLEARED FOR AN NDB APPROACH AND RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN BY SEVERAL WITNESSES FLYING VERY LOW, ABOUT 1 MILE WEST OF THE INBOUND PUBLISHED APPROACH COURSE ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE POOR WITH LOW VISIBILITY, DUE TO FOG AND DRIZZLE. THE AIRPORT IS EQUIPPED WITH RUNWAY STROBE LIGHTS, BUT THERE WERE NO WITNESSES THAT COULD REMEMBER IF THEY WERE ON OR OFF AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WHEN LAST SEEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW PERPENDICULAR (EAST) TO THE INBOUND COURSE, IT THEN TURNED LEFT, FLYING AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FLY THE PUBLISHED APPROACH PROCEDURE, WHICH RESULTED IN CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO THE TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA28-236 WAS CLEARED FOR AN NDB APPROACH AND RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN BY SEVERAL WITNESSES FLYING VERY LOW, ABOUT 1 MILE WEST OF THE INBOUND PUBLISHED APPROACH COURSE ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE POOR WITH LOW VISIBILITY, DUE TO FOG AND DRIZZLE. THE AIRPORT IS EQUIPPED WITH RUNWAY STROBE LIGHTS, BUT THERE WERE NO WITNESSES THAT COULD REMEMBER IF THEY WERE ON OR OFF AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WHEN LAST SEEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW PERPENDICULAR (EAST) TO THE INBOUND COURSE, IT THEN TURNED LEFT, FLYING AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 EDT
Nearest AirportYork-Thomaswke (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length4190 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-236
Tail NumberN2829D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRoy Brotherhood/K Mitzel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-J35D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal3
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDusk
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC