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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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October 16, 1987 · Cessna 172H · N9WB

Indian Head, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Indian Head, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 172H
Tail Number
N9WB
Operator
Frederick C Newlan
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO88FA003

THE NON-CERTIFICATED PLT TOOK THE ACFT WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY. A NOTE WAS FOUND IN HIS AUTOMOBILE THAT SHOWED HE INTENDED TO COMMIT SUICIDE. A REVOLVER WAS FOUND AT THE CRASH SCENE WITH A SPENT CARTRIDGE UNDER THE HAMMER. POSTMORTEM STUDIES SHOWED THE PILOT DIED FROM A GUNSHOT TO THE HEAD. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.11%.

Full Narrative

THE NON-CERTIFICATED PLT TOOK THE ACFT WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY. A NOTE WAS FOUND IN HIS AUTOMOBILE THAT SHOWED HE INTENDED TO COMMIT SUICIDE. A REVOLVER WAS FOUND AT THE CRASH SCENE WITH A SPENT CARTRIDGE UNDER THE HAMMER. POSTMORTEM STUDIES SHOWED THE PILOT DIED FROM A GUNSHOT TO THE HEAD. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.11%.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172H
Tail NumberN9WB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFrederick C Newlan
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 2 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data