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July 14, 1985 · Piper PA-24-250 · N7934P

Tioga, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 14, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Tioga, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N7934P
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC85FA166

THE PLT INITIATED A DOWNWIND LANDING ON A GRASS RWY THAT SLOPED MOSTLY UPHILL, BUT BEGAN SLOPING DOWNHILL AT ITS DEPARTURE END. A WITNESS NEAR THE APCH END OF THE 2150 FT RWY WATCHED THE ACFT TOUCH DOWN BEYOND ITS MIDPOINT, THEN DISAPPEAR OVER ITS CRESTED END. A WITNESS NEAR THE DEPARTURE END HEARD THE ACFT & 'TURNED TO WATCH THE PLANE TAKEOFF.' HE STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS HEADED TOWARD TREES & THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE PLT WAS TRYING TO PULL UP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES ON DOWNSLOPING TERRAIN, CRASHED & BURNED. ONE PASSENGER, THE PLT'S SON, SURVIVED THE CRASH,BUT DIED LATER DUE TO THE INJURIES & BURNS. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH AREA REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD HIT A BARB WIRE FENCE. ONE OF THE PROP BLADES HAD A BARB WIRE RADIUS NICK MARK ON ITS LEADING EDGE. PREVIOUSLY, THE PLT HAD STATED THAT AT THISARPT, HE PREFERRED TO ALWAYS LAND UPHILL, REGARDLESS OF THE WIND. THE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 215 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT INITIATED A DOWNWIND LANDING ON A GRASS RWY THAT SLOPED MOSTLY UPHILL, BUT BEGAN SLOPING DOWNHILL AT ITS DEPARTURE END. A WITNESS NEAR THE APCH END OF THE 2150 FT RWY WATCHED THE ACFT TOUCH DOWN BEYOND ITS MIDPOINT, THEN DISAPPEAR OVER ITS CRESTED END. A WITNESS NEAR THE DEPARTURE END HEARD THE ACFT & 'TURNED TO WATCH THE PLANE TAKEOFF.' HE STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS HEADED TOWARD TREES & THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE PLT WAS TRYING TO PULL UP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES ON DOWNSLOPING TERRAIN, CRASHED & BURNED. ONE PASSENGER, THE PLT'S SON, SURVIVED THE CRASH,BUT DIED LATER DUE TO THE INJURIES & BURNS. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH AREA REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD HIT A BARB WIRE FENCE. ONE OF THE PROP BLADES HAD A BARB WIRE RADIUS NICK MARK ON ITS LEADING EDGE. PREVIOUSLY, THE PLT HAD STATED THAT AT THISARPT, HE PREFERRED TO ALWAYS LAND UPHILL, REGARDLESS OF THE WIND. THE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 215 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:41 EDT
Nearest AirportHUGHES (1nm N)
Runway1
Runway Length2150 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN7934P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1D5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind215° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data