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August 29, 1982 · Piper PA-28R-201T PA-28R-201 · N38231
State Road, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
State Road, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201T PA-28R-201
Tail Number
N38231
Operator
Donald L Watson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82FA251
THE PLT REPORTED HIS ENGINE HAD QUIT. ARTCC ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE NEAREST ARPT WAS ELKING AT 12 MI. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER HE REPORTED THAT HE DIDN'T THINK HE COULD MAKE THE ARPT & WAS GOING TO LOOK FOR A FIELD. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE LANDING GEAR DOWN ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES ABOUT 300 FT FROM A PLOWED FIELD. OTHER FIELDS WERE IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THE PLT'S SHOULDER HARNESS WAS STOWED. THE LEFT TANK WAS RUPTURED & EMPTY. PERSONNEL AT THE WRECKAGE REPORTED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 1 INCH OF FUEL. FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE UPPER ENGINE CASE SUPPLY LINE FITTING AT THE FUEL MANIFOLD VALVE. FUEL STAINS WERE ALSO NOTED FORWARD OF THE RUBBER COUPLING THAT JOINS THE TURBOCHARGER COMPRESSED AIR LINE TO THE UPSTREAM (AFT) END OF THE THROTTLE BODY.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED HIS ENGINE HAD QUIT. ARTCC ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE NEAREST ARPT WAS ELKING AT 12 MI. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER HE REPORTED THAT HE DIDN'T THINK HE COULD MAKE THE ARPT & WAS GOING TO LOOK FOR A FIELD. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE LANDING GEAR DOWN ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES ABOUT 300 FT FROM A PLOWED FIELD. OTHER FIELDS WERE IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THE PLT'S SHOULDER HARNESS WAS STOWED. THE LEFT TANK WAS RUPTURED & EMPTY. PERSONNEL AT THE WRECKAGE REPORTED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 1 INCH OF FUEL. FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE UPPER ENGINE CASE SUPPLY LINE FITTING AT THE FUEL MANIFOLD VALVE. FUEL STAINS WERE ALSO NOTED FORWARD OF THE RUBBER COUPLING THAT JOINS THE TURBOCHARGER COMPRESSED AIR LINE TO THE UPSTREAM (AFT) END OF THE THROTTLE BODY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:18 EDT
Nearest AirportElkin Municipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-201T PA-28R-201
Tail NumberN38231
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDonald L Watson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB1 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:45