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NTSB Report
September 25, 1987 · Piper PA-32-300 · N38364
Montoursville, PA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Montoursville, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N38364
Operator
Paragon Flying Club
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87FA262
THE PLT INITIATED THE ILS APPROACH AND ACKNOWLEDGED A FREQUENCY CHANGE. THE ACFT WAS FOUND ON A STEEP HILL ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. NO EVIDENCE OF AN ENGINE OR CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. IT APPEARED THAT THE PILOT MADE A MISSED APPROACH AND FLEW INTO HIGH TERRAIN. THERE WAS A 2 1/2 HOUR DELAY BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND CONFIRMATION OF THE CRASH. THE PILOT WAS FOUND OUTSIDE OF THE WRECKAGE APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS LATER. AN AME SAID THE CRASH WAS SURVIVABLE AND THAT THE PILOT HAD EXITED THE AIRCRAFT ON HIS OWN AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SERIOUS INJURIES, NONE OF THEM WERE LETHAL. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 46 DEGREES WITH A WIND CHILL TEMPERATURE OF 36 DEGREES DURING THE NIGHT. THE AUTOPSY SHOWED THE PILOT HAD DIED OF EXPOSURE AND SHOCK.
Full Narrative
THE PLT INITIATED THE ILS APPROACH AND ACKNOWLEDGED A FREQUENCY CHANGE. THE ACFT WAS FOUND ON A STEEP HILL ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. NO EVIDENCE OF AN ENGINE OR CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. IT APPEARED THAT THE PILOT MADE A MISSED APPROACH AND FLEW INTO HIGH TERRAIN. THERE WAS A 2 1/2 HOUR DELAY BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND CONFIRMATION OF THE CRASH. THE PILOT WAS FOUND OUTSIDE OF THE WRECKAGE APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS LATER. AN AME SAID THE CRASH WAS SURVIVABLE AND THAT THE PILOT HAD EXITED THE AIRCRAFT ON HIS OWN AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SERIOUS INJURIES, NONE OF THEM WERE LETHAL. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 46 DEGREES WITH A WIND CHILL TEMPERATURE OF 36 DEGREES DURING THE NIGHT. THE AUTOPSY SHOWED THE PILOT HAD DIED OF EXPOSURE AND SHOCK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:28 EDT
Nearest AirportWilliamsport (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length6449 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN38364
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorParagon Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-KIG5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Ceiling100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:50
Weather SourceWFAC