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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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July 28, 1986 · Cessna 172 · N96701

Bridgeport, WV

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Bridgeport, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N96701
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA212

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 21. THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR THE APPROACH AFTER THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT. THERE WAS NO CURRENT WEATHER OBSERVATION AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, BUT A LOCAL AIR TAXI OPERATOR REPORTED THAT AT 0610 EDT, THE WX WAS, IN PART: 200 FT OBSCD, VISIBILITY 1/8 MI. THE APPROACH PROCEDURE REQUIRED THAT THE PILOT USE THE MORGANTOWN ALTIMETER SETTING AND ADD 100 FEET TO THE DECISION HEIGHT.THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ABOUT 2-1/2 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE APPROACH WAS 1700 FEET MSL. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 1203 FT. THE CRASH SITE WAS AT APRX THE SAME ELEVATION AS THE ARPT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE FLT PLAN INDCD THAT THE PERSON IN THE COPLT'S SEAT WAS THE PIC.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 21. THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR THE APPROACH AFTER THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT. THERE WAS NO CURRENT WEATHER OBSERVATION AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, BUT A LOCAL AIR TAXI OPERATOR REPORTED THAT AT 0610 EDT, THE WX WAS, IN PART: 200 FT OBSCD, VISIBILITY 1/8 MI. THE APPROACH PROCEDURE REQUIRED THAT THE PILOT USE THE MORGANTOWN ALTIMETER SETTING AND ADD 100 FEET TO THE DECISION HEIGHT.THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ABOUT 2-1/2 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE APPROACH WAS 1700 FEET MSL. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 1203 FT. THE CRASH SITE WAS AT APRX THE SAME ELEVATION AS THE ARPT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE FLT PLAN INDCD THAT THE PERSON IN THE COPLT'S SEAT WAS THE PIC.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:33 EDT
Nearest AirportBenebum Airport (3nm NNE)
Runway21
Runway Length5198 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN96701
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind150° @ 2 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time10:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data