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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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October 18, 1985 · Piper PA-34-200T · N1944H

Charleston, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Charleston, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N1944H
Operator
Goldsboro-Wayne Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA007

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED ON RADAR AS IT APPROACHED THE JOINT CIVIL - MILITARY AIRPORT. IT PASSED OVER NEAR THE CENTER OF THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL. THERE WAS NO REPORTED COMMUNICATION WITH THE AIRCRAFT. SEVERAL SIGHTING PLACED THE AIRCRAFT UNDER AT LEAST ONE BRIDGE AS IT BUZZED SEVERAL SHIPS AND TUGS. THE AIRCRAFT ALSO FLEW LOW OVER A SECTION OF THE BASE WHERE THE PILOT HAD FORMERLY WORKED AND HE DROPPED OUT AT LEAST ONE FLARE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED AS IT LINED UP ON THE ABANDONED FUEL STORAGE TANK AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF IT. BOTH ENGINES WERE RUNNING AND THERE WAS NO KNOWN OR REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE AIRCRAFT. RULED A SUICIDE BY THE MED EXAMINER.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED ON RADAR AS IT APPROACHED THE JOINT CIVIL - MILITARY AIRPORT. IT PASSED OVER NEAR THE CENTER OF THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL. THERE WAS NO REPORTED COMMUNICATION WITH THE AIRCRAFT. SEVERAL SIGHTING PLACED THE AIRCRAFT UNDER AT LEAST ONE BRIDGE AS IT BUZZED SEVERAL SHIPS AND TUGS. THE AIRCRAFT ALSO FLEW LOW OVER A SECTION OF THE BASE WHERE THE PILOT HAD FORMERLY WORKED AND HE DROPPED OUT AT LEAST ONE FLARE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED AS IT LINED UP ON THE ABANDONED FUEL STORAGE TANK AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF IT. BOTH ENGINES WERE RUNNING AND THERE WAS NO KNOWN OR REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE AIRCRAFT. RULED A SUICIDE BY THE MED EXAMINER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:09 EDT
Nearest Airport7nm ESE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN1944H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGoldsboro-Wayne Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TS10-360-E · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 11 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:50

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Appendix: Source Data