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January 20, 1986 · Piper PA-23-250 · N14259
Rural Retreat, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Rural Retreat, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N14259
Operator
Patten Corporation of Va
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA061
PILOT SAID FIRST ADF APPROACH TERMINATED BY MISSED APPROACH DUE TO OSCILLATING DIRECTIONAL NEEDLE. ON SECOND APPROACH ACFT BROKE OUT OF CLOUDS WITH TREES IN FRONT OF ACFT. IT IMPACTED A CLOUD OBSCURED RIDGE 3.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF AIRPORT ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. PILOT/WITNESSES REPORTED STRONG WINDS FROM THE NORTHWEST TO NORTH. FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR NDB APPROACH WAS 253. CEILING REPORTED AT AIRPORT AS 1000'. MDA WAS 1100'. NDB WAS REPORTED BY FBO AS APPARENTLY OPERATING SATISFACTORILY. TESTS OF ACFT ADF RECEIVER REVEALED IT ALSO OPERATED SATISFACTORILY.
Full Narrative
PILOT SAID FIRST ADF APPROACH TERMINATED BY MISSED APPROACH DUE TO OSCILLATING DIRECTIONAL NEEDLE. ON SECOND APPROACH ACFT BROKE OUT OF CLOUDS WITH TREES IN FRONT OF ACFT. IT IMPACTED A CLOUD OBSCURED RIDGE 3.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF AIRPORT ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. PILOT/WITNESSES REPORTED STRONG WINDS FROM THE NORTHWEST TO NORTH. FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR NDB APPROACH WAS 253. CEILING REPORTED AT AIRPORT AS 1000'. MDA WAS 1100'. NDB WAS REPORTED BY FBO AS APPARENTLY OPERATING SATISFACTORILY. TESTS OF ACFT ADF RECEIVER REVEALED IT ALSO OPERATED SATISFACTORILY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:54 EST
Nearest AirportMountain Eagle (4nm SSE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN14259
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPatten Corporation of Va
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 25 kt, gusting 35 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO