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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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December 31, 1986 · Piper PA-32-300 · N4116R

Gates, OR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 1986
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Location
Gates, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N4116R
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA87LA040

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT AT NIGHT ON AN UNLIT GRASS AIRSTRIP. PRIOR TO REACHING THE AIRSTRIP THE PLT COLLIDED WITH AN APPLE TREE. BOTH WINGS WERE SEVERED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND IT WENT INVERTED BEFORE STRIKING THE GROUND IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT AT NIGHT ON AN UNLIT GRASS AIRSTRIP. PRIOR TO REACHING THE AIRSTRIP THE PLT COLLIDED WITH AN APPLE TREE. BOTH WINGS WERE SEVERED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND IT WENT INVERTED BEFORE STRIKING THE GROUND IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 PST
Nearest AirportDAVIS (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN4116R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind90° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data