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NTSB Report
August 16, 1986 · Piper PA 28-161 · N36489
Stanley, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Stanley, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA 28-161
Tail Number
N36489
Operator
Ft Eustis Flying Club
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO86FIA02
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PLT HAD CROSSED THE 1ST RIDGE AT APRX 800 FT AGL ACCORDING TO THE PLT. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SAID LATER THAT HE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE FLT THAT THE ACFT WAS TOO LOW. HE SAID THAT THE PLT TOLD HIM THAT 'THE SCENARY IS BETTER DOWN HERE.' THE PASSENGER SAID THAT THE ACFT WAS NEVER HIGHER THAN THE THIRD RIDGE. WHEN THE PLT TRIED TO CLIMB OVER THIS THIRD RIDGE THE AIRSPEED BEGAN TO DROP. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THE PLT CONTINUED A STEADY COURSE TOWARD THE RIDGE AND JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT TRIED TO CLIMB STEEPER. THE STALL WARNING WENT OFF AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TREES.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PLT HAD CROSSED THE 1ST RIDGE AT APRX 800 FT AGL ACCORDING TO THE PLT. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SAID LATER THAT HE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE FLT THAT THE ACFT WAS TOO LOW. HE SAID THAT THE PLT TOLD HIM THAT 'THE SCENARY IS BETTER DOWN HERE.' THE PASSENGER SAID THAT THE ACFT WAS NEVER HIGHER THAN THE THIRD RIDGE. WHEN THE PLT TRIED TO CLIMB OVER THIS THIRD RIDGE THE AIRSPEED BEGAN TO DROP. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THE PLT CONTINUED A STEADY COURSE TOWARD THE RIDGE AND JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT TRIED TO CLIMB STEEPER. THE STALL WARNING WENT OFF AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TREES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA 28-161
Tail NumberN36489
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFt Eustis Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO