Casualties unknown

1983-02-06: Piper PA-23-250 (N54244) — St. Joseph, TN

St. Joseph, TN, US

On February 6, 1983, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N54244) was involved in an aviation accident near St. Joseph, TN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft overran a private dirt strip during a night landing in instrument meteorological conditions. Three men in vehicles helped unload packages and then abandoned the aircraft. The owner claimed the aircraft was stolen two days prior without signs of forced entry.

Incident Details

The aircraft overran the end of a private dirt runway during a night landing in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). It landed long on the 2,400-foot strip, continued off the runway end, crossed a road, went through a fence, and entered a stand of small pine trees before stopping 1,200 feet from the runway end.

Post-Accident Events

After the aircraft came to rest, three men in two vehicles arrived at the scene. They assisted the pilot in unloading several small brown packages from the aircraft. All individuals then abandoned the aircraft.

Aircraft Ownership

The registered owner, based in Florida, reported that the aircraft had been stolen two days prior to the accident from a locked hangar. Investigators noted that neither the hangar nor the aircraft showed any signs of forced entry. Additionally, the aircraft was equipped with sophisticated equipment that, according to the owner, would have required five days to install. The owner stated he had no knowledge of this equipment. The flight's purpose was unknown, but it was suspected to be a drug smuggling operation.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X42124. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.