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NTSB Report
September 25, 1987 · Piper PA-31-350 · N117EV
Demopolis, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Demopolis, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N117EV
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87FA262
THE PLT OF AN AIRCRAFT CARRYING AN ESTIMATED 317 KILOS OF COCAINE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT AN APT WHICH DID NOT HAVE A PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE IN IMC. WITNESSES ESTIMATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS NO MORE THAN 1/2 MILE IN FOG ABOUT 45 MIN AFTER THE ESTIMATED TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 1,400 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND ABOUT 600 FEET TO THE RIGHT OF THE EXTENDED RUNWAY CENTERLINE. GROUND CONTACT WAS MADE ABOUT 380 FEET AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE TREE. THE AIRCRAFT BURNED AFTER GROUND IMPACT. PILOT FLIGHT TIME WAS OBTAINED FROM PILOT'S LAST CFI APPLICATION.
Full Narrative
THE PLT OF AN AIRCRAFT CARRYING AN ESTIMATED 317 KILOS OF COCAINE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT AN APT WHICH DID NOT HAVE A PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE IN IMC. WITNESSES ESTIMATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS NO MORE THAN 1/2 MILE IN FOG ABOUT 45 MIN AFTER THE ESTIMATED TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 1,400 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND ABOUT 600 FEET TO THE RIGHT OF THE EXTENDED RUNWAY CENTERLINE. GROUND CONTACT WAS MADE ABOUT 380 FEET AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE TREE. THE AIRCRAFT BURNED AFTER GROUND IMPACT. PILOT FLIGHT TIME WAS OBTAINED FROM PILOT'S LAST CFI APPLICATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:15 CDT
Nearest AirportDemopolis Municipal (0nm SW)
Runway4
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN117EV
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 3 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time07:50
Weather SourceWFAC