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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

February 20, 1986 · Piper PA-28-180 · N8288W

Statesboro, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Statesboro, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N8288W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FKG07

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT OVER A WOODED AREA AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE FLEW OUT TO OVERLOOK SOME LAND FROM THE AIR. TO AVOID AIR TRAFFIC IN THE LANDING PATTERN HE DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 550 FT AND MADE 2 CIRCLES AROUND THE LAND AFTER WHICH HE WAS TURNING TO ENTER DOWNWIND FOR LANDING WHEN HE OVERFLEW A WOODED AREA. AFTER SOME TURBULENCE THE ACFT STARTED SINKING. THE PLT ADDED POWER AND PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE. THE ACFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT OVER A WOODED AREA AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE FLEW OUT TO OVERLOOK SOME LAND FROM THE AIR. TO AVOID AIR TRAFFIC IN THE LANDING PATTERN HE DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 550 FT AND MADE 2 CIRCLES AROUND THE LAND AFTER WHICH HE WAS TURNING TO ENTER DOWNWIND FOR LANDING WHEN HE OVERFLEW A WOODED AREA. AFTER SOME TURBULENCE THE ACFT STARTED SINKING. THE PLT ADDED POWER AND PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE. THE ACFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN8288W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data