Piper PA-28 N38370

Summary

On 30 July 1989 at about 19:25 local time, a Piper PA-28 registered N38370 was involved in an accident near Cumberland, Maryland, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 July 1989 at 19:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Cumberland, Maryland, United States

Coordinates

39.6509, -78.7590

Aircraft

Piper PA-28

Registration

N38370

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cumberland → Morgantown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO89DIG02

4 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO TAKEOFF IN DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS. RELATED FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, AND HIS LACK OF AN INSTRUMENT RATING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PLT HAD DEPARTED THE ARPT ON THE SECOND LEG OF A X-COUNTRY FLT, WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN A WX BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND INTENDED TO CALL FLT WATCH ONCE AIRBORNE. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER DEPARTURE, A THUNDERSTORM WAS ENCOUNTERED AND HE INITIATED A 180 DEG TURN BACK TO THE ARPT. THE PLT STATED THAT DUE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE, HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD. WHEN THE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND, A TRUCK AND TRAILER PULLED OUT ON THE ROAD AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. HE REPORTED THAT DURING THE GO-AROUND, ANOTHER DOWNDRAFT WAS EXPERIENCED AND HE VEERED THE ACFT TO THE LEFT TO AVOID THE TRUCK. THE ACFT THEN HIT AN OVERPASS AND DESCENDED TO THE ROAD BELOW. OTHER LOCAL PLTS STATED THERE WAS NO TURBULENCE IN THE AREA THAT DAY, BUT THE WEATHER WAS DETERIORATING RAPIDLY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.