ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 37754
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Thursday 3 August 1995 |
| Time: | 10:35 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-28-236 |
| Owner/operator: | Carl M. Harris |
| Registration: | N8072X |
| MSN: | 29-7911308 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1638 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-540-J3A5D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Rehoboth, MA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Honoyoe Falls, NY |
| Chatham, MA (KCQX) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
During IFR flight at 7,000 feet msl, the pilot encountered convective weather activity, and subsequently, the airplane broke up in flight. The breakup included separation of both outer wing panels, the vertical stabilizer, the right horizontal stabilator, and the outboard portion of the left horizontal stabilator. Deformation indicated upward failure of the wings and downward failure of the stabilators. The Area Forecast was indicating widely scattered thunderstorms for an area that included the accident location; however, there were no Convective SIGMETS or Center Weather Advisories in effect. Investigation revealed that ATC had issued a warning about a thunderstorm ahead and had provided clearance for a vector around the weather. The pilot did not respond, and about 20 seconds later, the transmission was repeated. The pilot acknowledged and initiated a turn, but radar and weather data showed that the airplane tracked to about 2 nautical miles from a Level 5 to Level 6 thunderstorm. The airplane then entered a descent and crashed. The cloud bases were near 800 feet, and cloud tops were above 15,000 feet. There was moderate or greater convective turbulence below 10,000 feet, with up and downdrafts and horizontal wind gusts. Also, there were embedded thunderstorms, and the freezing level was above 14,000 feet. Two ground witnesses stated that when they observed the airplane, 'very hard' rain was falling with lightning and thunder.
Probable Cause: The pilot's inadvertent flight into hazardous weather, which subsequently resulted in exceeding the design stress limits of the airplane and an in-flight breakup. Factors relating to the accident were: embedded thunderstorms, turbulence, and failure of the National Weather Service to issue a Convective SIGMET or a Center Weather Advisory.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB NYC95FA181
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:23 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 09-Apr-2024 13:09 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Cn, Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation