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NTSB Report
January 20, 1983 · Piper PA-28-140 · N98302
Robersonville, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 20, 1983
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Robersonville, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N98302
Operator
Colonial Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL83FLJ01
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN ATTEMPTED EMERGENCY LANDING. THE ACFT WAS 5 MILES FORM AN AIRPORT. THE PILOT HAD CALLED ON UNICOM AND SAID HE WAS LOST AND HAD PARTIAL POWER LOSS. HE ASKED IF ANYONE COULD HEAR HIM AND HE DIDNOT BELIEVE HE COULD MAKE THE AIRPORT AS HE WAS TOO LOW. HE WAS GIVEN THE NDB FREQUENCY FOR THE AIRPORT. HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE WAS TOO FAR AWAY TO BE HEARD. IN HIS LAST TRANSMISSION THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT HAVE THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT AND WAS NOT SURE OF HIS LOCATION. HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO LAND OFF THE AIRPORT. WHEN THERE WERE NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS THESHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS NOTIFIED. NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITY COULD BE FOUND IN THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE THAT COULD HAVE PRODUCED A LOSS OF POWER.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN ATTEMPTED EMERGENCY LANDING. THE ACFT WAS 5 MILES FORM AN AIRPORT. THE PILOT HAD CALLED ON UNICOM AND SAID HE WAS LOST AND HAD PARTIAL POWER LOSS. HE ASKED IF ANYONE COULD HEAR HIM AND HE DIDNOT BELIEVE HE COULD MAKE THE AIRPORT AS HE WAS TOO LOW. HE WAS GIVEN THE NDB FREQUENCY FOR THE AIRPORT. HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE WAS TOO FAR AWAY TO BE HEARD. IN HIS LAST TRANSMISSION THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT HAVE THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT AND WAS NOT SURE OF HIS LOCATION. HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO LAND OFF THE AIRPORT. WHEN THERE WERE NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS THESHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS NOTIFIED. NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITY COULD BE FOUND IN THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE THAT COULD HAVE PRODUCED A LOSS OF POWER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EST
Nearest AirportMartin County (5nm W)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN98302
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorColonial Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 18 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:00
Weather SourceWFAC