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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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June 13, 1982 · Piper PA-28-181 · N80SA

Savannah, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 13, 1982
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Savannah, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N80SA
Operator
Shields Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82DA162

THE PILOT OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND FILED A VFR FLIGHT PLAN BEFORE TAKEOFF. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE WEATHER WAS 6000 FT SCATTERED, 6 MILES VISIBILITY, POSSIBLE STORMS GATHERING AT PALATKA, FL. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION TO ACTIVATE THE FLIGHT PLAN. WHILE ENROUTE, HE HAD TO DEVIATE TO AVOID WEATHER AND BECAME LOST. HE TRIED TO OBTAIN HELP BY USING HIS RADIO. BUT WAS UNABLE. HE FINALLY LOCATED AN AIRPORT (HUNTER AFB), THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION BEFORE HE ARRIVED. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A DIRT ROAD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TOPS OF THE TREES. THE PILOT GUIDED THE PLANE BETWEEN TWO TREES AS HE CRASH LANDED.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND FILED A VFR FLIGHT PLAN BEFORE TAKEOFF. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE WEATHER WAS 6000 FT SCATTERED, 6 MILES VISIBILITY, POSSIBLE STORMS GATHERING AT PALATKA, FL. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION TO ACTIVATE THE FLIGHT PLAN. WHILE ENROUTE, HE HAD TO DEVIATE TO AVOID WEATHER AND BECAME LOST. HE TRIED TO OBTAIN HELP BY USING HIS RADIO. BUT WAS UNABLE. HE FINALLY LOCATED AN AIRPORT (HUNTER AFB), THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION BEFORE HE ARRIVED. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A DIRT ROAD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TOPS OF THE TREES. THE PILOT GUIDED THE PLANE BETWEEN TWO TREES AS HE CRASH LANDED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN80SA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorShields Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total4
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data