- Date
- September 14, 1983, 14:31 local (18:31 UTC)
- Place
- Collier Twnshp, PA
- Injuries
- 3 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N84703Piper PA-32R-301
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19830914048829A
- Case key
- 35078
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During arrival, the plt contacted apch control & was provided radar vectors for a visual apch. While on the apch, he was instructed to keep his speed up until he was 1 1/2 mi on final. Vectors were provide with turns as necessary until the acft was 6 1/2 to 7 mi from the rwy. At that time, the plt reported that he had the arpt in sight. He was then instructed to proceed inbound for rwy 32 & to keep his speed up as long as feasible. The plt acknowledged. Shortly after that, radio & radar contact were lost. A number of witnesses heard & saw the acft at a faster than normal speed. Several saw the acft & debris falling after an in-flt breakup occurred. Evidence was found that the wings & right horizontal stabilizer had separated downward & the left horizontal stabilizer had separated upward. The aileron, rudder & stabilizer balance wts were still in place. Radar data revealed that the ground speed on final apch had increased to 208 KTS. The never exceed speed (vne) was 189 KCAS & 197 KIAS. Another plt reported lgt to mod turb.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N84703
- Reported as
- Piper PA-32R-301
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 32R-8213011
- Airframe hours
- 334
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Wright Bros. Aero Corp.
- Registered owner
- Triangle Aviation , Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · September 2, 1983 · 20 hours before
- Departed
- DAY · Dayton, OH
- Destination
- PIT · Pittsburgh, PA
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- PIT · Greater Pittsburgh Int'L, runway 32, 8,100 × 150 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 50
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 383 total · 12 in this make and model · 292 as pilot in command · 48 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PIT, 6 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.