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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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October 20, 1986 · Piper PA-32R-300 · N5260F

Nashville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Nashville, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-300
Tail Number
N5260F
Operator
Emert Mobile Homes
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87FA007

THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED FOR THE LOCALIZER APPROACH TO RWY 31. THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT. THE FLIGHT DESCENDED INTO THE CLOUD LAYER AND CRASHED ABOUT 1000 FEET SHORT OF THE MIDDLE MARKER. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY AIRCRAFT PROBLEM. THE APPROACH MDA IS 1040 FEET. THERE WAS NO REPORTED CEILING AND THERE WAS A .25 MILE VISIBILITY. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT QUALIFIED.

Full Narrative

THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED FOR THE LOCALIZER APPROACH TO RWY 31. THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT. THE FLIGHT DESCENDED INTO THE CLOUD LAYER AND CRASHED ABOUT 1000 FEET SHORT OF THE MIDDLE MARKER. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY AIRCRAFT PROBLEM. THE APPROACH MDA IS 1040 FEET. THERE WAS NO REPORTED CEILING AND THERE WAS A .25 MILE VISIBILITY. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT QUALIFIED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 CDT
Nearest AirportNashville (4nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length8500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-300
Tail NumberN5260F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEmert Mobile Homes
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1650 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 3 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data