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Casualties unknown

Nighttime Runway 28 Approach Accident Involves Pilot and Passenger (N9673C)

Wellsboro, PA, US

On August 8, 1994, a Piper PA-28R-201 (registration N9673C) was involved in an aviation accident near Wellsboro, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL, WHICH LED TO HIS MISJUDGMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: DARKNESS. 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 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A local flight departed at 0300 EDT and returned, contacting terrain about 1/4 mile from Runway 28's approach end. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.070%.

Incident Overview and Timeline A pilot and passenger departed on a local flight at approximately 0300 EDT. The manager of a fixed base operator (FBO) at the airport heard the aircraft return and believed it had entered a downwind leg to land. At about 0329, the manager heard the engine power increase followed by a thud. ## Accident Sequence and Impact The pilot did not remember the occurrence due to injuries. Evidence indicated the aircraft had turned onto final approach when it contacted the ground about 1/4 mile from the approach end of Runway 28. During impact, the left wing struck terrain that sloped from left to right and was about 25 feet higher than the airport elevation. ## Toxicology Findings Toxicology tests of the pilot's blood, taken over 2 hours after the accident, showed an alcohol level of 70.0 mg/dL (0.070%). Tests of the passenger's blood showed an alcohol level of 53.6 mg/dL (0.0536%).

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Aug 1994 Piper PA-28R-201 accident near Wellsboro, PA?

A local flight departed at 0300 EDT and returned, contacting terrain about 1/4 mile from Runway 28's approach end. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.070%.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Aug 1994 involved a Piper PA-28R-201, registration N9673C, at Wellsboro, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL, WHICH LED TO HIS MISJUDGMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: DARKNESS.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X02128. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.