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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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November 28, 1985 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8082B

Duluth, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 28, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Duluth, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8082B
Operator
Thunderbird Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA033

THE PILOT DEPARTED CRYSTAL LAKE FOR A FLIGHT TO VISIT RELATIVES FOR THANKSGIVING. HE DID NOT OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING NOR DID HE CONTACT ANY GROUND FACILITY DURING THE FLIGHT. HE WAS QUALIFIED TO FLY IN VFR CONDITIONS ONLY. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE SURFACE OF A FROZEN LAKE EIGHT MILES FROM DULUTH IAP AND WAS DESTROYED. AN EXAM- INATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE AN INFLIGHT PROBLEM. WEATHER AT DULUTH IAP AT THE APPROX TIME OF THE CRASH WAS: EST 1000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1 1/2 MILES WITH LIGHT SNOW AND FOG. WEATHER AT DULUTH 40 MIN BEFORE THIS OBSERVATION WAS: 200 FT CEILING, SKY OBSCURED. VISIBILITY 3/4 MILE WITH LIGHT SNOW AND FOG.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT DEPARTED CRYSTAL LAKE FOR A FLIGHT TO VISIT RELATIVES FOR THANKSGIVING. HE DID NOT OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING NOR DID HE CONTACT ANY GROUND FACILITY DURING THE FLIGHT. HE WAS QUALIFIED TO FLY IN VFR CONDITIONS ONLY. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE SURFACE OF A FROZEN LAKE EIGHT MILES FROM DULUTH IAP AND WAS DESTROYED. AN EXAM- INATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE AN INFLIGHT PROBLEM. WEATHER AT DULUTH IAP AT THE APPROX TIME OF THE CRASH WAS: EST 1000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1 1/2 MILES WITH LIGHT SNOW AND FOG. WEATHER AT DULUTH 40 MIN BEFORE THIS OBSERVATION WAS: 200 FT CEILING, SKY OBSCURED. VISIBILITY 3/4 MILE WITH LIGHT SNOW AND FOG.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8082B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorThunderbird Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 18 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point3 C / 1 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data