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April 7, 1986 · Piper PA-28-140 · N9636W

Chesapeake, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Chesapeake, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N9636W
Operator
Louisiana Delta
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO86FA021

BEFORE THE FLT, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED DRINKING IN A BAR. HE & 3 OTHERS THEN DROVE TO THE ARPT, WHERE RPRTDLY, THE WX WAS BAD & THE VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED BY FOG. AFTER AWHILE, THE PLT STATED HE WAS GOING TO TAXI THE ACFT AROUND THE ARPT & INVITED THE OTHERS TO JOIN HIM. TWO OF THE OTHERS GOT INTO THE ACFT, BUT THE 4TH PERSON WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITIONS & REFUSED TO GO. THE PLT STARTED THE ENG & TAXIED TO THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO TAKEOFF & BEGIN A RGT TURN, THEN THE WITNESS LOST SIGHT OF THE PLANE. MOMENTS LATER, HE HEARD THE SOUNDS OF THE PLANE CRASHING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED ON ARPT PROPERTY, ABOUT 500 FT ENE FROM THE APCH END OF RWY 28. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.08% & A URINE/ALCOHOL LVL OF OF ABOUT 0.14%. THE PASSENGERS HAD BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.03% & 0.07%.

Full Narrative

BEFORE THE FLT, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED DRINKING IN A BAR. HE & 3 OTHERS THEN DROVE TO THE ARPT, WHERE RPRTDLY, THE WX WAS BAD & THE VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED BY FOG. AFTER AWHILE, THE PLT STATED HE WAS GOING TO TAXI THE ACFT AROUND THE ARPT & INVITED THE OTHERS TO JOIN HIM. TWO OF THE OTHERS GOT INTO THE ACFT, BUT THE 4TH PERSON WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITIONS & REFUSED TO GO. THE PLT STARTED THE ENG & TAXIED TO THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO TAKEOFF & BEGIN A RGT TURN, THEN THE WITNESS LOST SIGHT OF THE PLANE. MOMENTS LATER, HE HEARD THE SOUNDS OF THE PLANE CRASHING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED ON ARPT PROPERTY, ABOUT 500 FT ENE FROM THE APCH END OF RWY 28. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.08% & A URINE/ALCOHOL LVL OF OF ABOUT 0.14%. THE PASSENGERS HAD BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.03% & 0.07%.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:00 EST
Nearest AirportHampton Roads (0nm N)
Runway2
Runway Length3526 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN9636W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLouisiana Delta
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind120° @ 4 kt
Visibility1 sm
Ceiling200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data