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November 2, 1983 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8163P

Marshburg, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 2, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Marshburg, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8163P
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC84FGM01

AFTER REFUELING AT ITHACA, NY, THE PLTS OF TWO PIPER PA-28 ACFT DEPARTED AS A FLT OF TWO. THEY HAD PLANNED TO CONTINUE THEIR FLT BACK TO CINCINNATI, OH WITH ANOTHER EN ROUTE STOP AT COLUMBUS, OH. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT OF N8163P WAS FOLLOWING THE LEAD ACFT, N6888W. AFTER CHECKING THE WX & OBSERVING LIGHTNING AHEAD, THE FLT LEADER RADIOED THAT HE WAS TURNING BACK TO BRADFORE, PA TO LAND. AT THIS TIME (1915 EST) IT WAS DARK & THE ACFT WERE AT ABOUT 3000 TO 3300 FT MSL. THE #2 PLT TRIED TO KEEP THE LEAD ACFT IN SIGHT, DURING THE TURN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE LEAD PLANE, THE #2 PLT BECAME DISORIENTED & LOST CONTROL OF HIS ACFT. DURING THE ATTEMPTED RECOVERY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON THE CREST OF A HILL AT APRX 2240 FT MSL. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED, BUT THE 2 OCCUPANTS OF THAT ACFT RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THEY SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE FOREST.

Full Narrative

AFTER REFUELING AT ITHACA, NY, THE PLTS OF TWO PIPER PA-28 ACFT DEPARTED AS A FLT OF TWO. THEY HAD PLANNED TO CONTINUE THEIR FLT BACK TO CINCINNATI, OH WITH ANOTHER EN ROUTE STOP AT COLUMBUS, OH. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT OF N8163P WAS FOLLOWING THE LEAD ACFT, N6888W. AFTER CHECKING THE WX & OBSERVING LIGHTNING AHEAD, THE FLT LEADER RADIOED THAT HE WAS TURNING BACK TO BRADFORE, PA TO LAND. AT THIS TIME (1915 EST) IT WAS DARK & THE ACFT WERE AT ABOUT 3000 TO 3300 FT MSL. THE #2 PLT TRIED TO KEEP THE LEAD ACFT IN SIGHT, DURING THE TURN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE LEAD PLANE, THE #2 PLT BECAME DISORIENTED & LOST CONTROL OF HIS ACFT. DURING THE ATTEMPTED RECOVERY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON THE CREST OF A HILL AT APRX 2240 FT MSL. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED, BUT THE 2 OCCUPANTS OF THAT ACFT RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THEY SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE FOREST.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:20 EST
Nearest Airport10nm NW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8163P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 18 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data