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NTSB Report
November 15, 1987 · Mooney M20C · N3644H
St. Marys, PA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
St. Marys, PA
Aircraft
Mooney M20C
Tail Number
N3644H
Operator
Carlos D Salas
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC88FA041
WHILE GETTING FUEL, THE PILOT OF THE MOONEY M20C AND HIS 3 PALS WERE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE FROST WITH PAPER TOWELS AND PLASTIC CREDIT CARDS AFTER BEING TOLD BY THE FUEL TRUCK DRIVER THAT THE ARPT HAD NO ICE REMOVAL SOLUTION. A WITNESS STATED THAT AS THE ATTEMPT WAS BEING MADE TO REMOVE THE FROST & ICE, MORE FROST AND ICE WAS FORMING. WITNESSES WHO OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ON THE TAKEOFF STATED THE ROLL WAY VERY LONG; THE CLIMB AND TURNING BANK WAS STEEP; AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT DESCENT ANGLE WAS STEEP. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND BURST INTO FLAMES.
Full Narrative
WHILE GETTING FUEL, THE PILOT OF THE MOONEY M20C AND HIS 3 PALS WERE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE FROST WITH PAPER TOWELS AND PLASTIC CREDIT CARDS AFTER BEING TOLD BY THE FUEL TRUCK DRIVER THAT THE ARPT HAD NO ICE REMOVAL SOLUTION. A WITNESS STATED THAT AS THE ATTEMPT WAS BEING MADE TO REMOVE THE FROST & ICE, MORE FROST AND ICE WAS FORMING. WITNESSES WHO OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ON THE TAKEOFF STATED THE ROLL WAY VERY LONG; THE CLIMB AND TURNING BANK WAS STEEP; AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT DESCENT ANGLE WAS STEEP. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND BURST INTO FLAMES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:10 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20C
Tail NumberN3644H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCarlos D Salas
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO