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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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NTSB Report

December 2, 1982 · Piper PA-24-250 · N5284P

Ocean City, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 2, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Ocean City, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N5284P
Operator
Thayer William H
Injuries
Fatal
NTSB Number
ATL83FA049

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER BODIES WERE RECOVERED FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN NEAR OCEAN CITY, MD. BOTH PERSONS HAD DIED OF DROWNING WITHOUT SERIOUS TRAUMATIC INJURIES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED. LOW CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES WERE REPORTEDIN THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND EVENING. ACCORDING TO A MEDICAL EXAMINER'S ESTIMATE, THE OCCUPANTS HAD BEEN IN THE WATER ABOUT SIX HOURS WHEN THEY WERE FOUND AT 2314 EST. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR INSTRUMENT FLIGHT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER BODIES WERE RECOVERED FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN NEAR OCEAN CITY, MD. BOTH PERSONS HAD DIED OF DROWNING WITHOUT SERIOUS TRAUMATIC INJURIES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED. LOW CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES WERE REPORTEDIN THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND EVENING. ACCORDING TO A MEDICAL EXAMINER'S ESTIMATE, THE OCCUPANTS HAD BEEN IN THE WATER ABOUT SIX HOURS WHEN THEY WERE FOUND AT 2314 EST. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR INSTRUMENT FLIGHT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN5284P
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorThayer William H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1A5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightNr
WindCalm
Ceiling200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point13 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55

Appendix: Source Data