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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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September 1, 1986 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8285C

Hampton, NH

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1986
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Hampton, NH
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8285C
Operator
New England Flyers
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA240

THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT LOW ALT IN THE VICINITY OF INTERSTATE I-95 WHEN THE PLT MADE A 360 DEG, RGT TURN. AFTER THE TURN, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH PWR LINES, WHICH CROSSED I-95, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THE ACFT HAD DSCNDD TO ABOUT 35 TO 50 FT AGL BFR HITTING THE PWR LINES. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACTMECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE PLT WAS FLYING THE ACFT FROM THE RGT SEAT. THE OUTBOARD (MALE) PORTION OF THE RGT SEAT BELT WAS FND CONNECTED TO THE INBOARD (FEMALE) PORTION OF THE LEFT SEAT BELT. LIKEWISE, THE OUTBOARD (MALE) PORTION OF THE LEFT SEAT BELT WAS FND CONNECTED TO THE INBOARD (FEMALE) PORTION OF THE RGT SEAT BELT; HOWEVER, THE INBOARD PORTION OF THE RGT SEAT BELT WAS NOT ANCHORED TO THE AIRFRAME. THE PASSENGERS (PAX) IN THE LEFT FRONT & LEFT REAR SEATS WERE FATALLY INJURED. A POSTMORTEM EXAM OF THE FATAL PAX FAILED TO DISCLOSE INJURIES COMMENSURATE WITH THE USE OF RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.155%.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT LOW ALT IN THE VICINITY OF INTERSTATE I-95 WHEN THE PLT MADE A 360 DEG, RGT TURN. AFTER THE TURN, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH PWR LINES, WHICH CROSSED I-95, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THE ACFT HAD DSCNDD TO ABOUT 35 TO 50 FT AGL BFR HITTING THE PWR LINES. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACTMECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE PLT WAS FLYING THE ACFT FROM THE RGT SEAT. THE OUTBOARD (MALE) PORTION OF THE RGT SEAT BELT WAS FND CONNECTED TO THE INBOARD (FEMALE) PORTION OF THE LEFT SEAT BELT. LIKEWISE, THE OUTBOARD (MALE) PORTION OF THE LEFT SEAT BELT WAS FND CONNECTED TO THE INBOARD (FEMALE) PORTION OF THE RGT SEAT BELT; HOWEVER, THE INBOARD PORTION OF THE RGT SEAT BELT WAS NOT ANCHORED TO THE AIRFRAME. THE PASSENGERS (PAX) IN THE LEFT FRONT & LEFT REAR SEATS WERE FATALLY INJURED. A POSTMORTEM EXAM OF THE FATAL PAX FAILED TO DISCLOSE INJURIES COMMENSURATE WITH THE USE OF RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.155%.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:12 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8285C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorNew England Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal2
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 4 kt, gusting 1 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data