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April 6, 1982 · Piper PA-28-180 · N9610J

Bostic, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Bostic, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N9610J
Operator
Robert Alden Jones
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82FA093

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE ABOUT 5 MI EAST OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. WHEN THE AIRPORT OPERATOR WENT HOME AT ABOUT 1830 EST, HE NOTED THAT A 350 FT MOUNTAIN PEAK NEAR HIS HOME WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. AT ABOUT THAT SAME TIME, HE ESTIMATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS 1/8 TO 1/4 MI WITH LIGHT RAIN AND DRIZZLE. AT ABOUT 2000 EST, WITNESSES HEARD AN AIRCRAFT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE WAS DESCRIBED AS INCREASING AND DECREASING ALTERNATELY, THEN IT CEASED ABRUPTLY WITH THE SOUND OF AN IMPACT. THE PILOT'S WIFE, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, SAID THAT HIS HABIT WAS TO USE THE 090 DEG RADIAL OF THE SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN VORTAC TO FLY OVER THE AIRPORT.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE ABOUT 5 MI EAST OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. WHEN THE AIRPORT OPERATOR WENT HOME AT ABOUT 1830 EST, HE NOTED THAT A 350 FT MOUNTAIN PEAK NEAR HIS HOME WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. AT ABOUT THAT SAME TIME, HE ESTIMATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS 1/8 TO 1/4 MI WITH LIGHT RAIN AND DRIZZLE. AT ABOUT 2000 EST, WITNESSES HEARD AN AIRCRAFT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE WAS DESCRIBED AS INCREASING AND DECREASING ALTERNATELY, THEN IT CEASED ABRUPTLY WITH THE SOUND OF AN IMPACT. THE PILOT'S WIFE, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, SAID THAT HIS HABIT WAS TO USE THE 090 DEG RADIAL OF THE SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN VORTAC TO FLY OVER THE AIRPORT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 EST
Nearest AirportRutherford County (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN9610J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert Alden Jones
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingBroken clouds 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

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Appendix: Source Data