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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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September 14, 1985 · Piper PA-28-140 · N7188R

Hamburg, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hamburg, NJ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N7188R
Operator
Arthur W Siegel
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC85FA241

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES DURING AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT APRX 17 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. ONE WITNESS REPORTED HEARING THE ENG RUNNING AT A HIGH RPM. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL 9-18-85. THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE INDICATED 140 MPH. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHAINCAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. THE CORONERS AUTOPSY REPORT STATED A CONTRIBUTING CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS MOST PROBABLY A HEART ATTACK OR CONGESTIVE HEARTFAILURE. THE PLT WAS UNDER MEDICAL CARE FOR EPILEPTIC SEIZURES. THE PLTS PHYSICIAN REPORTED THE PLT WAS ALRIGHT AS LONG AS HE MAINTAINED A THERAPUDIC LEVEL THROUGH MEDICATION. THE PLTS THERAPUDIC LEVEL WAS NORMAL DURING HIS LAST EXAMINATIONON 9-11-85.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES DURING AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT APRX 17 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. ONE WITNESS REPORTED HEARING THE ENG RUNNING AT A HIGH RPM. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL 9-18-85. THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE INDICATED 140 MPH. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHAINCAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. THE CORONERS AUTOPSY REPORT STATED A CONTRIBUTING CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS MOST PROBABLY A HEART ATTACK OR CONGESTIVE HEARTFAILURE. THE PLT WAS UNDER MEDICAL CARE FOR EPILEPTIC SEIZURES. THE PLTS PHYSICIAN REPORTED THE PLT WAS ALRIGHT AS LONG AS HE MAINTAINED A THERAPUDIC LEVEL THROUGH MEDICATION. THE PLTS THERAPUDIC LEVEL WAS NORMAL DURING HIS LAST EXAMINATIONON 9-11-85.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:17 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN7188R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorArthur W Siegel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindGusting 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

External Links

Appendix: Source Data