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NTSB Report
June 26, 1987 · Piper PA-28-180 · N15978
Jesup, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Jesup, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N15978
Operator
R W Mc Duffie
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87FA189
WITNESSES RPRTD THE ACFT 'BUZZED' (FLEW LOW) OVER A FACTORY, WHERE THE PLT USED TO WORK, THEN IT WENT OVER THE ALTAMAHA RIVER, FLEW UNDER A BRIDGE & CONTINUED UP THE RIVER AT LOW ALT. ABOUT 2 TO 3 MI UPSTREAM, THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERING WHEN IT STRUCK TREES & CRASHED IN THE RIVER. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. TOXICOLOGY TESTS SHOWED THAT THE PLT & 2 OF THE PAX'S HAD ALCOHOL IN THEIR BLOOD. A CHECK OF THE 3RD PAX'S BLOOD WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THE PLT'S BLOOD TESTED 0.13% (0.13 GM%) FOR ALCOHOL. HIS MED CERT WAS DATED 8/29/83. HIS LOG BOOK WAS NOT FND, BUT OTHER RECORDS INDCD HE HAD APRX 400 HRS TOTAL TIME WITH 250 HRS IN PA-28 ACFT.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES RPRTD THE ACFT 'BUZZED' (FLEW LOW) OVER A FACTORY, WHERE THE PLT USED TO WORK, THEN IT WENT OVER THE ALTAMAHA RIVER, FLEW UNDER A BRIDGE & CONTINUED UP THE RIVER AT LOW ALT. ABOUT 2 TO 3 MI UPSTREAM, THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERING WHEN IT STRUCK TREES & CRASHED IN THE RIVER. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. TOXICOLOGY TESTS SHOWED THAT THE PLT & 2 OF THE PAX'S HAD ALCOHOL IN THEIR BLOOD. A CHECK OF THE 3RD PAX'S BLOOD WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THE PLT'S BLOOD TESTED 0.13% (0.13 GM%) FOR ALCOHOL. HIS MED CERT WAS DATED 8/29/83. HIS LOG BOOK WAS NOT FND, BUT OTHER RECORDS INDCD HE HAD APRX 400 HRS TOTAL TIME WITH 250 HRS IN PA-28 ACFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN15978
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorR W Mc Duffie
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:59
Weather SourceWFAC