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January 27, 1986 · Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · N222HD

Milwaukee, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 27, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Milwaukee, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N222HD
Operator
Sea Express
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA064

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO DESCEND AND LEVEL OFF AT LOW ALT. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT IT LEVELED OFF JUST ABOVE THE TREES, THEN ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND DOVE INTO WOODED TERRAIN. THE ENG WAS REPORTED TO BE RUNNING LOUD AND STEADY UNTIL IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. APRX 35 MI SW AT ROCKY MOUNT, NC, THE WX WAS, IN PART: 2500 FT BROKEN, VIS 7 MI, WIND FROM 300 DEG AT 12 GUSTING 20 KTS. FOR AN AREA TO THE WEST OF THE CRASH SITE, A SIGMET WAS IN EFFECT WHICH WARNED OF POSSIBLE MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY SEVERE TURBULENCE BELOW 8000 FT WITH LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR BELOW 2000 FT. HOWEVER, NO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WX WAS VERIFIED. A TOXICOLOGY TEST SHOWED THAT THE PLT HAD 13.9 MG/L OF COCAINE IN HIS BLOOD.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO DESCEND AND LEVEL OFF AT LOW ALT. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT IT LEVELED OFF JUST ABOVE THE TREES, THEN ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND DOVE INTO WOODED TERRAIN. THE ENG WAS REPORTED TO BE RUNNING LOUD AND STEADY UNTIL IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. APRX 35 MI SW AT ROCKY MOUNT, NC, THE WX WAS, IN PART: 2500 FT BROKEN, VIS 7 MI, WIND FROM 300 DEG AT 12 GUSTING 20 KTS. FOR AN AREA TO THE WEST OF THE CRASH SITE, A SIGMET WAS IN EFFECT WHICH WARNED OF POSSIBLE MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY SEVERE TURBULENCE BELOW 8000 FT WITH LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR BELOW 2000 FT. HOWEVER, NO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WX WAS VERIFIED. A TOXICOLOGY TEST SHOWED THAT THE PLT HAD 13.9 MG/L OF COCAINE IN HIS BLOOD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN222HD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSea Express
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 12 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 9 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data