FlightFinder
Check my flight
Casualties unknown

Airplane Collides with Trees on Hill Near Airport (N28163)

Lebanon, NH, US

On December 2, 1993, an Aerospatiale TB-21 (registration N28163) operated by Klaus Eberius was involved in an aviation accident near Lebanon, NH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance which resulted in an inflight collision with the terrain. A factor was a dark night condition. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane struck trees on a hill about half a mile from Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB) during its first night departure from the field, with both pilots aboard having previously flown from the airport during daytime.

Incident Overview

An airplane collided with trees on a hill approximately half a mile from the airport (LEB). The accident site was situated about 250 feet above the airport elevation. The pilot was operating under a clearance that included a climb to 6,000 feet and was in radio contact with the LEB tower controller.

Controller and Passenger Accounts

The controller reported noticing that the airplane had turned too far to the left after takeoff and was heading toward a hill. The controller asked the pilot if he had the hill in sight, to which the pilot responded 'Say again.' A surviving passenger stated that he overheard the controller calling the pilot to alert him of the hill, and shortly thereafter the collision occurred.

Flight Crew

A second pilot was aboard as a safety pilot. He was an instrument-rated flight instructor. According to their logbooks, both pilots had previously departed from the airport on several occasions, but the accident flight was their first night departure from the airport.

Departure Procedure

The departure procedure for the airport states, in part: '...climb visually over airport, to cross the airport at or above 1500 feet, then proceed on course.'

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Dec 1993 Aerospatiale TB-21 accident near Lebanon, NH?

An airplane struck trees on a hill about half a mile from Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB) during its first night departure from the field, with both pilots aboard having previously flown from the airport during daytime.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Dec 1993 involved an Aerospatiale TB-21, registration N28163, operated by Klaus Eberius, at Lebanon, NH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance which resulted in an inflight collision with the terrain. A factor was a dark night condition.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13901. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.