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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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August 23, 1987 · Piper PA-28-161 · N83232

Nantucket, MA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 23, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Nantucket, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N83232
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87FAMS2

THE PIPER PA-28-161 WITH A PILOT AND PASSENGER ONBOARD DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE WHILE BEING VECTORED TO AN ILS APPROACH TO RWY 24 AT NANTUCKET, MA. THE CONTROLLER OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IN A SOUTHEASTERLY HEADING AND ASKED THE TOWER CONTROLLER TO QUESTION THE PILOT. THE PILOT REPLIED THAT HE WAS ON THE LOCALIZER. THE LAST OBSERVED ALTITUDE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS 900 FT. AN OIL SLICK AND A NOSE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WERE FOUND OFFSHORE IN THE WATER. HOWEVER NO SERIALIZED COMPONENTS OR MAJOR WRECKAGE WAS RECOVERED. AIRCRAFT DAMAGE AND INJURIES ARE PRESUMED.

Full Narrative

THE PIPER PA-28-161 WITH A PILOT AND PASSENGER ONBOARD DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE WHILE BEING VECTORED TO AN ILS APPROACH TO RWY 24 AT NANTUCKET, MA. THE CONTROLLER OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IN A SOUTHEASTERLY HEADING AND ASKED THE TOWER CONTROLLER TO QUESTION THE PILOT. THE PILOT REPLIED THAT HE WAS ON THE LOCALIZER. THE LAST OBSERVED ALTITUDE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS 900 FT. AN OIL SLICK AND A NOSE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WERE FOUND OFFSHORE IN THE WATER. HOWEVER NO SERIALIZED COMPONENTS OR MAJOR WRECKAGE WAS RECOVERED. AIRCRAFT DAMAGE AND INJURIES ARE PRESUMED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:54 EDT
Nearest AirportNantucket (13nm ENE)
Runway24
Runway Length6303 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN83232
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDark Night
Wind230° @ 15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data