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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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April 18, 1987 · Piper PA-28-180 · N7987W

York, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
York, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N7987W
Operator
Bruce E Johnson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87FA127

THE PIPER PA-28-180 WAS MAKING AN NDB INSTRUMENT APPROACH UNDER INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT NIGHT. THE PILOT MANUEVERED THE AIRCRAFT OVER THE AIRPORT SEVERAL TIMES IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO ACQUIRE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IMPACTED LEVEL TERRAIN NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT FAILED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE NOISE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS NO LONGER HEARD, THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND AT THE EDGE OF THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY A HIGH SPEED IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BASED AT THE AIRPORT WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

Full Narrative

THE PIPER PA-28-180 WAS MAKING AN NDB INSTRUMENT APPROACH UNDER INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT NIGHT. THE PILOT MANUEVERED THE AIRCRAFT OVER THE AIRPORT SEVERAL TIMES IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO ACQUIRE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IMPACTED LEVEL TERRAIN NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT FAILED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE NOISE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS NO LONGER HEARD, THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND AT THE EDGE OF THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY A HIGH SPEED IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BASED AT THE AIRPORT WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:18 EDT
Nearest AirportYork-Thomasville (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length4190 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN7987W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBruce E Johnson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind110° @ 4 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 54
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data