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NTSB Report
July 21, 1984 · Piper PA-28-235 · N9014W
Selbyville, DE
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Selbyville, DE
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N9014W
Operator
John a Horan
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO84FA001
THE STUDENT PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER DEPARTED ON THE FLIGHT WITHOUT A WX BRIEFING DESPITE THE EXISTENCE OF LOW CEILINGS AND RAIN. WITNESSES RELATED HEARING THE ENGINE ACCELERATE AND SEEING THE ACFT START A CLIMB BEFORE IT BROKE UP AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER FAILED NEGATIVELY AT A LOW ALTITUDE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE STUDENT PLT BEGAN FLYING IN 1974.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER DEPARTED ON THE FLIGHT WITHOUT A WX BRIEFING DESPITE THE EXISTENCE OF LOW CEILINGS AND RAIN. WITNESSES RELATED HEARING THE ENGINE ACCELERATE AND SEEING THE ACFT START A CLIMB BEFORE IT BROKE UP AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER FAILED NEGATIVELY AT A LOW ALTITUDE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE STUDENT PLT BEGAN FLYING IN 1974.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN9014W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJohn a Horan
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingBroken clouds 500 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:57
Weather SourceWFAC