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NTSB Report
September 1, 1985 · Piper PA-28-235-B PA-28-235 · N9340W
Rion, SC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Rion, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235-B PA-28-235
Tail Number
N9340W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85FA266
THE ACFT HAD BEEN CRUISING AT 10,500 FT FOR SEVERAL MIN AND THEN INFORMED ATC THAT THEY WERE CLIMBING TO 12,500 FT DUE TO VFR. SHORTLY THERE AFTER THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE MAKING AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND LOOKED UP AND SAW THE ACFT FALLING FROM THE SKY AND PARTS FALLING FROM IT. ONE WITNESS CLAIMED TO HAVE SEEN THE ACFT COME OUT OF A CLOUD. A SQUALL LINE AND HEAVY RAIN WERE REPORTED IN THE AREA A SHORT TIME LATER BY PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL AREA.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT HAD BEEN CRUISING AT 10,500 FT FOR SEVERAL MIN AND THEN INFORMED ATC THAT THEY WERE CLIMBING TO 12,500 FT DUE TO VFR. SHORTLY THERE AFTER THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE MAKING AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND LOOKED UP AND SAW THE ACFT FALLING FROM THE SKY AND PARTS FALLING FROM IT. ONE WITNESS CLAIMED TO HAVE SEEN THE ACFT COME OUT OF A CLOUD. A SQUALL LINE AND HEAVY RAIN WERE REPORTED IN THE AREA A SHORT TIME LATER BY PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL AREA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-235-B PA-28-235
Tail NumberN9340W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC