# NTSB IAD78FA094: Piper PA-28, N8789W, Hemlock, WV, August 13, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 13, 1978
- Place: Hemlock, WV · HEMLOCK, WV
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139312
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD78FA094
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA094

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3424  78/8/13    HEMLOCK,WV          PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 60, 4500
        TIME - 1625                    N8789W              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 950 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PARKERSBURG,WV              NORFOLK,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN AREAS OF SEVERE TURBULENCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE, ASSOCIATED W/CLOUDS AND/OR THUNDERSTORMS
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                            THUNDERSTORM, RAIN SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- PLT HAD 25HRS SIMULATED INSTRUMENT INSTRUCTION.GENERAL DISINTEGRATION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8789W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8789W-1980-10-10), registration cancelled 1980-10-10, S/N 28-10337 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780813037819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780813037819A), Aug 13, 1978: Piper PA28235, Hemlock, WV, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Plt had 25HRS simulated instrument instruction. General disintegra.

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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