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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 24, 1986 · Piper PA-28-180 · N7744N

Harvard, NE

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Harvard, NE
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N7744N
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC86FA195

THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FOR A NIGHT, BUSINESS FLT. AT THE TIME OF THE BRIEFING A REPORTING STATION 22 NM NW OF THE ACDT SITE HAD A BROKEN CEILING AT 2300 FT WITH GOOD VIS. THE ACDT OCCURRED ABOUT 2 HRS AFTER THE BRIEFING LESS THAN 2 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. AT THAT TIME THE REPORTING STATION HAD A BROKEN CEILING AT 1000 FT. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACDT BUT RESIDENTS OF THE NEARBY TOWN SAID IT WAS A DARK, CLOUDY NIGHT WITH GOOD VIS. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATION DID REVEAL THAT THE PLT AND PASSENGER HAD WORKED A NORMAL DAY AT THEIR HEARING AID BUSINESS AND ATTENDED A CHURCH MEETING UNTIL ABOUT 2300. THEY ALSO HAD A BUSINESS MEETING SCHEDULED IN OGALLALA THE NEXT MORNING.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FOR A NIGHT, BUSINESS FLT. AT THE TIME OF THE BRIEFING A REPORTING STATION 22 NM NW OF THE ACDT SITE HAD A BROKEN CEILING AT 2300 FT WITH GOOD VIS. THE ACDT OCCURRED ABOUT 2 HRS AFTER THE BRIEFING LESS THAN 2 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. AT THAT TIME THE REPORTING STATION HAD A BROKEN CEILING AT 1000 FT. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACDT BUT RESIDENTS OF THE NEARBY TOWN SAID IT WAS A DARK, CLOUDY NIGHT WITH GOOD VIS. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATION DID REVEAL THAT THE PLT AND PASSENGER HAD WORKED A NORMAL DAY AT THEIR HEARING AID BUSINESS AND ATTENDED A CHURCH MEETING UNTIL ABOUT 2300. THEY ALSO HAD A BUSINESS MEETING SCHEDULED IN OGALLALA THE NEXT MORNING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN7744N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data