# NTSB ATL86FA240: Piper PA-28-161, N8285C, Hampton, NH, September 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1986, 11:12 local (15:12 UTC)
- Place: Hampton, NH
- Location: 42.9419° N, 70.8259° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hampton, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9419&lon=-70.8259&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA240

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - not engaged (contributing factor)
  - seat belt - not used, passenger (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT LOW ALT IN THE VICINITY OF INTERSTATE I-95 WHEN THE PLT MADE A 360 DEG, RGT TURN. AFTER THE TURN, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH PWR LINES, WHICH CROSSED I-95, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THE ACFT HAD DSCNDD TO ABOUT 35 TO 50 FT AGL BFR HITTING THE PWR LINES. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACTMECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE PLT WAS FLYING THE ACFT FROM THE RGT SEAT. THE OUTBOARD (MALE) PORTION OF THE RGT SEAT BELT WAS FND CONNECTED TO THE INBOARD (FEMALE) PORTION OF THE LEFT SEAT BELT. LIKEWISE, THE OUTBOARD (MALE) PORTION OF THE LEFT SEAT BELT WAS FND CONNECTED TO THE INBOARD (FEMALE) PORTION OF THE RGT SEAT BELT; HOWEVER, THE INBOARD PORTION OF THE RGT SEAT BELT WAS NOT ANCHORED TO THE AIRFRAME. THE PASSENGERS (PAX) IN THE LEFT FRONT & LEFT REAR SEATS WERE FATALLY INJURED. A POSTMORTEM EXAM OF THE FATAL PAX FAILED TO DISCLOSE INJURIES COMMENSURATE WITH THE USE OF RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.155%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8285C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288116067
- Airframe hours: 2670
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: New England Flyers
- Registered owner: David Leveille
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 27, 1986, 80 hours before
- Departed: BEVERLY, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 330 total, 70 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots, gusting 1
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PMS, 7 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860901043189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860901043189A), Sep 1, 1986: Piper PA28161, Hampton, NH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft ht powerlines while flying at a low level. The pilot was intoxicated. Evidence non use of seatbelts.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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