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NTSB Report
April 18, 1986 · Piper PA-28-140 · N4491J
Westville, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1986
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Westville, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N4491J
Operator
Mark Murvihill
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA122
THE PLT WAS TAKING A FRIEND AND TWO OF HER ACQUAINTANCES ON A SIGHTSEEING RIDE WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A PLOWED FARM FIELD. THE ACFT'S WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 60 LBS UNDER MAX ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A WITNESS NEAR THE CRASH STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW, CLEARING A POWERLINE JUST BEFORE THE CRASH. SHE SAID THE ACFT WAS NOSE LOW AND TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S LOGBOOK REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD 133.4 HOURS WITH 5.6 HOURS LOGGED IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS TAKING A FRIEND AND TWO OF HER ACQUAINTANCES ON A SIGHTSEEING RIDE WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A PLOWED FARM FIELD. THE ACFT'S WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 60 LBS UNDER MAX ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A WITNESS NEAR THE CRASH STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW, CLEARING A POWERLINE JUST BEFORE THE CRASH. SHE SAID THE ACFT WAS NOSE LOW AND TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S LOGBOOK REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD 133.4 HOURS WITH 5.6 HOURS LOGGED IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:26 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN4491J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMark Murvihill
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind340° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:48
Weather SourceWFAC