NTSB Identification: NYC88LA043.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 36644.
Accident occurred Sunday, November 15, 1987 in MONTOURSVILLE, PA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/24/1989
Aircraft: PIPER PA-32-300, registration: N9055F
Injuries: 3 Serious,1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS. HE MADE A TOUCH-&-GO, THEN RPRTD ON A RIGHT DOWNWIND FOR ANOTHER LANDING. HE ACKNOWLEDGED A CLEARANCE TO CONTINUE, BUT MOMENTS LATER, AN ELT SIGNAL BEGAN TRANSMITTING. ABOUT 1 HR LATER, THE ACFT WAS FND WHERE IT HIT TREES & CRASHED, APRX 2-1/2 MI NW OF THE ARPT, NEAR THE TOP OF A HILL. ELEV OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 985 FT; THE ARPT ELEV WAS 529 FT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. AN OBSTRUCTION LIGHT HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE HILLTOP, BUT IT HAD BEEN INOP FOR SVRL YEARS.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
PLANNED APPROACH..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
PROPER ALTITUDE..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LIGHT CONDITION..DARK NIGHT
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..HIGH TERRAIN
Contributing Factors
AIRPORT FACILITIES,AERONAUTICAL LIGHT BEACON(OBST)..NOT OPERATING
Contributing Factors
AIRPORT OPERATIONS..INADEQUATE..AIRPORT PERSONNEL
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY
Contributing Factors
OBJECT..TREE(S)
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