Casualties unknown

1985-12-01: Piper PA-34 (N4324D) — Hazleton, PA

Hazleton, PA, US

On December 1, 1985, a Piper PA-34 (registration N4324D) was involved in an aviation accident near Hazleton, PA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

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

A Piper aircraft ran off the runway during landing at Hazleton, Pennsylvania, after a missed first approach due to bad visibility. The pilot reported touching down midway on runway 28, hydroplaning on the wet surface, and a right engine failure on go-around, leading to a runway excursion and ground loop.

Accident Sequence

According to the pilot, the first approach was missed due to bad visibility. The flight returned to the initial approach fix for a second attempt. The pilot broke out of the clouds at about 700 feet and set full flaps. The aircraft touched down about midway down runway 28. Upon landing, the aircraft began to hydroplane on the wet runway surface. When the pilot applied power to execute a go-around, the right engine did not respond. The pilot then reduced power to abort the go-around. The aircraft continued off the runway, breaking one runway light, and ground looped, which collapsed the right main landing gear.

Aircraft Damage

The aircraft sustained damage including a collapsed right main landing gear and one broken runway light. No information regarding other damage or injuries was provided in the source.

Operational Details

The event occurred at Hazleton, Pennsylvania, on runway 28. Weather conditions included bad visibility during the first approach and a wet runway surface during the landing, which led to hydroplaning. No details about the aircraft model, registration, or number of occupants were given.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X38482. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.