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NTSB Report
July 21, 1984 · Sperling BD-4 · N78JC
Henderson, NV
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Henderson, NV
Aircraft
Sperling BD-4
Tail Number
N78JC
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA84FA178
WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE ACFT DEPART TO THE SSW TOWARD THE MOUNTAINS. THE ACFT MADE A SERIES OF TURNS AND BANKS TO AVOID A GROUP OF THUNDERSTORM CELLS (AIR MASS THUNDERSTORMS) IN A DIRECTION OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 15. THE ACFT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE MADE SEVERAL TURNS AWAY FROM THE 'WORST' PART OF THE RAIN SHOWERS. ALL THE WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT 'JUST PITCHED DOWN AND WENT INTO THE GROUND.' THE THUNDERSTORM CELLS WERE NOT REPORTED ON THE 1750Z LAS VEGAS, NV, FSS SURFACE ANALYSIS WEATHER OBSERVATION.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE ACFT DEPART TO THE SSW TOWARD THE MOUNTAINS. THE ACFT MADE A SERIES OF TURNS AND BANKS TO AVOID A GROUP OF THUNDERSTORM CELLS (AIR MASS THUNDERSTORMS) IN A DIRECTION OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 15. THE ACFT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE MADE SEVERAL TURNS AWAY FROM THE 'WORST' PART OF THE RAIN SHOWERS. ALL THE WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT 'JUST PITCHED DOWN AND WENT INTO THE GROUND.' THE THUNDERSTORM CELLS WERE NOT REPORTED ON THE 1750Z LAS VEGAS, NV, FSS SURFACE ANALYSIS WEATHER OBSERVATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:47 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSperling BD-4
Tail NumberN78JC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 18 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 14000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC