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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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NTSB Report

November 14, 1987 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8318L

Spartansburg, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 14, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Spartansburg, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8318L
Operator
Beaver Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC88DGM03

THE PILOT LANDED AT THE FRANKLIN, PA AIRPORT AFTER ENCOUNTERING FOG. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND REMAINING ON THE GROUND FOR ABOUT 37 MINUTES HE DEPARTED. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN CIRCLING AT A LOW ALTITUDE, FLYING IN AND OUT OF THE CLOUDS. THE ENGINE WAS HEARD RUNNING AT FULL POWER AND REDUCED POWER. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A FIELD.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT LANDED AT THE FRANKLIN, PA AIRPORT AFTER ENCOUNTERING FOG. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND REMAINING ON THE GROUND FOR ABOUT 37 MINUTES HE DEPARTED. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN CIRCLING AT A LOW ALTITUDE, FLYING IN AND OUT OF THE CLOUDS. THE ENGINE WAS HEARD RUNNING AT FULL POWER AND REDUCED POWER. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A FIELD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:07 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8318L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBeaver Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 6 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data