On April 18, 1986, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N4491J) operated by Mark Murvihill was involved in an aviation accident near Westville, IN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot taking three passengers on a sightseeing flight crashed into a plowed farm field. Witnesses reported the aircraft flying low and fast, clearing a powerline before impact. No preimpact mechanical failure was found.
Accident Details
A pilot was conducting a sightseeing flight with a friend and two of her acquaintances when the aircraft crashed into a plowed farm field. According to a witness near the crash site, the aircraft was flying low and cleared a powerline just before the impact. The witness stated that the aircraft was in a nose-low attitude and traveling at a high rate of speed.
An investigation revealed no preimpact part failure or malfunction. The aircraft's weight at the time of the crash was estimated to be 60 pounds under the maximum allowable gross weight.
Pilot Information
Examination of the pilot's logbook indicated a total flight time of 133.4 hours, with only 5.6 hours logged in the previous 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 18 Apr 1986 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Westville, IN?
A pilot taking three passengers on a sightseeing flight crashed into a plowed farm field. Witnesses reported the aircraft flying low and fast, clearing a powerline before impact. No preimpact mechanical failure was found.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Apr 1986 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N4491J, operated by Mark Murvihill, at Westville, IN.
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