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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 24, 1983 · Piper PA-38-112 · N2490P

Lexington, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Lexington, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N2490P
Operator
Bearcreek Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL83FA339

THE PLT WAS ON A CABLE PATROL/AERIAL OBSERVATION MISSION. WHILE PATROLLING, HE MISSED A TURN IN THE CABLE ROUTE & TURN TO RELOCATE IT. AFTER RELOCATING THE ROUTE, HE LOOKED BACK TO OBSERVE A PORTION THAT HE HAD MISSED & SAW A LOGGING OPERATION. THE PLT TURNED AGAIN TO BETTER OBSERVE THE ACTIVITY, THEN STARTED TO REPORT ITS LOCATION BY USING A HAND HELD RADIO. HE THEN DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO A SHEET OF PAPER IN THE RIGHT SEAT TO OBTAIN THE PROPER FREQUENCY NUMBER. WHEN HE LOOKED UP, HE SAW A BIG TREE, JUST BEFORE IMPACT. THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT HIT THE TREE, THEN THE ACFT CRASHED & BURNED. THE ACFT WAS A BACKUP PLANE & DID NOT HAVE PANEL MOUNTED AIR-TO-GROUND RADIOS FOR CABLE PATROL REPORTING.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS ON A CABLE PATROL/AERIAL OBSERVATION MISSION. WHILE PATROLLING, HE MISSED A TURN IN THE CABLE ROUTE & TURN TO RELOCATE IT. AFTER RELOCATING THE ROUTE, HE LOOKED BACK TO OBSERVE A PORTION THAT HE HAD MISSED & SAW A LOGGING OPERATION. THE PLT TURNED AGAIN TO BETTER OBSERVE THE ACTIVITY, THEN STARTED TO REPORT ITS LOCATION BY USING A HAND HELD RADIO. HE THEN DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO A SHEET OF PAPER IN THE RIGHT SEAT TO OBTAIN THE PROPER FREQUENCY NUMBER. WHEN HE LOOKED UP, HE SAW A BIG TREE, JUST BEFORE IMPACT. THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT HIT THE TREE, THEN THE ACFT CRASHED & BURNED. THE ACFT WAS A BACKUP PLANE & DID NOT HAVE PANEL MOUNTED AIR-TO-GROUND RADIOS FOR CABLE PATROL REPORTING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN2490P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBearcreek Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2A · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 5 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data