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NTSB Report
February 19, 1984 · Panaplane Pappillon · UNREG
Pepperell, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 19, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Pepperell, MA
Aircraft
Panaplane Pappillon
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
NYC84FU003
THE AIRMAN TOOK OFF ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLT AFTER ONE AND ONE HALF HOURS OF GROUND INSTRUCTION AND NO FLT INSTRUCTION. THEFLT PROCEEDED AFTER A NORMAL TAKEOFF TO TURN LEFT AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL TO AVOID A HANGER. AFTER A PRECISE 90 DEGREE TURN, THE ACFT CONTINUED TOWARD THE RIVER AND SOME TREES. NO MORE TURNS WERE MADE TO STAY WITHIN THE ARPT BOUNDARY AND THE VEHICLE CONTACTED THE TREES BORDERING THE RIVER. THE VEHICLE FELL INTO THE WATER AND THE PLT DROWNED IN THE WRECKAGE. THERE WERE NO PLT CERTIFICATES OR RECORDED FLT TIME LOCATED FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.
Full Narrative
THE AIRMAN TOOK OFF ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLT AFTER ONE AND ONE HALF HOURS OF GROUND INSTRUCTION AND NO FLT INSTRUCTION. THEFLT PROCEEDED AFTER A NORMAL TAKEOFF TO TURN LEFT AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL TO AVOID A HANGER. AFTER A PRECISE 90 DEGREE TURN, THE ACFT CONTINUED TOWARD THE RIVER AND SOME TREES. NO MORE TURNS WERE MADE TO STAY WITHIN THE ARPT BOUNDARY AND THE VEHICLE CONTACTED THE TREES BORDERING THE RIVER. THE VEHICLE FELL INTO THE WATER AND THE PLT DROWNED IN THE WRECKAGE. THERE WERE NO PLT CERTIFICATES OR RECORDED FLT TIME LOCATED FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 EST
Nearest AirportPepperell (1nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length2685 ft
Runway Width35 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPanaplane Pappillon
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 103
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsSolo · 210CC · Reciprocating · 15
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT