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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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September 26, 1983 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8236U

Bethany, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 26, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Bethany, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8236U
Operator
J Jr & Associates
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI83FA441

PRIOR TO THIS FLT, THE PLT HAD CONTACTED A FSS & INQUIRED ABOUT THE WX. HE WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT TO TERRE HAUTE, IN, WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. HE TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 1830 CDT. THE PLT AGAIN CONTACTED THE FSS & INQUIRED ABOUT THE WX AT BURLINGTON, IA & SPRINGFIELD, IL (A PROBABLE ROUTE TO AVOID CONGESTED TRAFFIC IN THE CHICAGO, IL AREA). REPORTEDLY, THE WX IN THE BURLINGTON AREA WAS ACCEPTABLE, BUT THE PLT WAS AGAIN ADVISED THAT FLT TO TERRA HAUTE WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THIS WAS THE LAST KNOWN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE ACFT. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, WITNESSES HEARD THE ACFT. ONE WITNESS HEARD THE ENG 'REV UP' & THEN SAW A BLINKING LIGHT, JUST BEFORE THE PLANE CRASHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD SEPARATED IN FLT. THE R STABILIZER, LOWER HALF OF THE TAIL CONE, FORWARD SECTION OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER, L FLAP & L WING WERE FOUND ABOUT 1 TO 1 1/2 MI FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. NO PRE-ACCIDENT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT HAD LOGGED 1 HR OF NIGHT TIME IN THE PRECEEDING 90 DAYS, BUT HAD NOT LOGGED NGT LNDGS DRG THAT TIME.

Full Narrative

PRIOR TO THIS FLT, THE PLT HAD CONTACTED A FSS & INQUIRED ABOUT THE WX. HE WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT TO TERRE HAUTE, IN, WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. HE TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 1830 CDT. THE PLT AGAIN CONTACTED THE FSS & INQUIRED ABOUT THE WX AT BURLINGTON, IA & SPRINGFIELD, IL (A PROBABLE ROUTE TO AVOID CONGESTED TRAFFIC IN THE CHICAGO, IL AREA). REPORTEDLY, THE WX IN THE BURLINGTON AREA WAS ACCEPTABLE, BUT THE PLT WAS AGAIN ADVISED THAT FLT TO TERRA HAUTE WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THIS WAS THE LAST KNOWN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE ACFT. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, WITNESSES HEARD THE ACFT. ONE WITNESS HEARD THE ENG 'REV UP' & THEN SAW A BLINKING LIGHT, JUST BEFORE THE PLANE CRASHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD SEPARATED IN FLT. THE R STABILIZER, LOWER HALF OF THE TAIL CONE, FORWARD SECTION OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER, L FLAP & L WING WERE FOUND ABOUT 1 TO 1 1/2 MI FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. NO PRE-ACCIDENT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT HAD LOGGED 1 HR OF NIGHT TIME IN THE PRECEEDING 90 DAYS, BUT HAD NOT LOGGED NGT LNDGS DRG THAT TIME.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:55 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8236U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJ Jr & Associates
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D36 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data