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April 8, 1983 · Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30 · N3515M

Wellsville, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 1983
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Location
Wellsville, NY
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N3515M
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC83FA087

JUST PRIOR TO THIS FLT, THE PLT HAD FLOWN FROM HORNELL, NY TO WELLSVILLE, NY. BEFORE DEPARTING HORNELL, HE RADIOED THAT THE VACUUM ANNUNCIATOR LIGHT WAS ON, & DURING A RUN-UP, THE SUCTION GAUGE READ ZERO. GROUND PERSONNEL ADVISED THAT WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON, DIRECTIONAL GYRO & AUTOPILOT WOULD BE INOP & TO STAY AWAY FROM CLOUDS. AFTER LANDING AT WELLSVILLE, PASSENGERS ENPLANED WHILE THE ENG WAS RUNNING. THE ACFT DEPARTED WELLSVILLE AT APRX 0925 IN WX ESTIMATED TO BE 900 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1 1/2 TO 2 MI. APRX 10 MIN LATER, IT CRASHED & BURNED AFTER HITTING TREES ONRISING TERRAIN, APRX 7 MI ESE OF THE ARPT. IT IMPACTED ON A HEADING OF 240 DEG. PRIOR TO IMPACT, WITNESSES NEARBY HEARD AN AIRCRAFT TRAVELING GENERALLY FROM WEST TO EAST THAT SOUNDED LOUD & LOW. ONE STATED HE COULD NOT SEE THE ACFT DUE TO DENSE FOG. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD RECEIVED DUAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING, BUT VERY LITTLE PARTIAL PANEL TRAINING. AN EXAM OF THE VACUUM PUMP REVEALED THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS SHEARED.

Full Narrative

JUST PRIOR TO THIS FLT, THE PLT HAD FLOWN FROM HORNELL, NY TO WELLSVILLE, NY. BEFORE DEPARTING HORNELL, HE RADIOED THAT THE VACUUM ANNUNCIATOR LIGHT WAS ON, & DURING A RUN-UP, THE SUCTION GAUGE READ ZERO. GROUND PERSONNEL ADVISED THAT WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON, DIRECTIONAL GYRO & AUTOPILOT WOULD BE INOP & TO STAY AWAY FROM CLOUDS. AFTER LANDING AT WELLSVILLE, PASSENGERS ENPLANED WHILE THE ENG WAS RUNNING. THE ACFT DEPARTED WELLSVILLE AT APRX 0925 IN WX ESTIMATED TO BE 900 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1 1/2 TO 2 MI. APRX 10 MIN LATER, IT CRASHED & BURNED AFTER HITTING TREES ONRISING TERRAIN, APRX 7 MI ESE OF THE ARPT. IT IMPACTED ON A HEADING OF 240 DEG. PRIOR TO IMPACT, WITNESSES NEARBY HEARD AN AIRCRAFT TRAVELING GENERALLY FROM WEST TO EAST THAT SOUNDED LOUD & LOW. ONE STATED HE COULD NOT SEE THE ACFT DUE TO DENSE FOG. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD RECEIVED DUAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING, BUT VERY LITTLE PARTIAL PANEL TRAINING. AN EXAM OF THE VACUUM PUMP REVEALED THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS SHEARED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:35 EST
Nearest AirportWellsville (8nm ESE)
Runway10
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN3515M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Fatal6
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 2 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data