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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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January 29, 1984 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N55495

Templeton, MA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 29, 1984
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Templeton, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N55495
Operator
Powell Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC84FA085

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON UNLGTD TERRAIN AT NGT AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS AT APRX 60 FT AGL WITH THE GEAR EXTENDED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT'S CLEARANCE LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING UNTIL THE RWY LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, THEN THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT'S STROBE LIGHT. THE RWY LIGHTS COULD HAVE BEEN TURNED ON BY KEYING THE RADIO MIKE ON 123.45 MHZ. THE WITNESSES HEARD THE SOUND OF THE CRASH WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY SILENCE. DURING IMPACT IN A WOODED AREA, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL TREES OVER AN AREA OF ABOUT 175 FT. THE ACFT'S LIGHT & ALTERNATOR SWITCHES WERE FOUND IN THE 'OFF' POSITION; THE BATTERY SWITCH WAS ON. THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY HAD A FRACTURE SEPARATION; HOWEVER, THE MODE OF SEPARATION WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETS FOR MANSFIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE AT 1845 EST. THE PLT HAD PLANNED TO RETURN IN 4 HRS.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON UNLGTD TERRAIN AT NGT AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS AT APRX 60 FT AGL WITH THE GEAR EXTENDED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT'S CLEARANCE LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING UNTIL THE RWY LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, THEN THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT'S STROBE LIGHT. THE RWY LIGHTS COULD HAVE BEEN TURNED ON BY KEYING THE RADIO MIKE ON 123.45 MHZ. THE WITNESSES HEARD THE SOUND OF THE CRASH WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY SILENCE. DURING IMPACT IN A WOODED AREA, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL TREES OVER AN AREA OF ABOUT 175 FT. THE ACFT'S LIGHT & ALTERNATOR SWITCHES WERE FOUND IN THE 'OFF' POSITION; THE BATTERY SWITCH WAS ON. THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY HAD A FRACTURE SEPARATION; HOWEVER, THE MODE OF SEPARATION WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETS FOR MANSFIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE AT 1845 EST. THE PLT HAD PLANNED TO RETURN IN 4 HRS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:10 EST
Nearest AirportGARDNER (1nm SSW)
Runway18
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN55495
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPowell Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1G · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind70° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 1 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:55
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data