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NTSB Report
June 19, 1987 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N900AJ
Asheville, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Asheville, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N900AJ
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87FA174
DURING A PERSONAL NIGHT X-COUNTRY VFR FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THE PLT WAS INFORMED BY ATC THAT VIP LEVEL 3 AND 4 THUNDERSTORMS WERE POSITIONED ACROSS THE INTENDED FLT PATH. THE 128 HOUR NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONTINUED THE FLT. SOON AFTERWARDS RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST. THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP. ALL STRUCTURAL FAILURES HAD OVERSTRESS SIGNATURES TYPICAL OF OVERLOAD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-BREAKUP MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. A METEOROLOGICAL SUMMARY OF THE ACCD SITE INDICATED THAT THE LEADING EDGE OF A WX ECHO OF AT LEAST MOD INTENSITY CONTAINING AT LEAST A MOD RAIN SHOWER WAS LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCD SITE.
Full Narrative
DURING A PERSONAL NIGHT X-COUNTRY VFR FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THE PLT WAS INFORMED BY ATC THAT VIP LEVEL 3 AND 4 THUNDERSTORMS WERE POSITIONED ACROSS THE INTENDED FLT PATH. THE 128 HOUR NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONTINUED THE FLT. SOON AFTERWARDS RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST. THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP. ALL STRUCTURAL FAILURES HAD OVERSTRESS SIGNATURES TYPICAL OF OVERLOAD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-BREAKUP MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. A METEOROLOGICAL SUMMARY OF THE ACCD SITE INDICATED THAT THE LEADING EDGE OF A WX ECHO OF AT LEAST MOD INTENSITY CONTAINING AT LEAST A MOD RAIN SHOWER WAS LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCD SITE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN900AJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind40° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC