On May 23, 1998, a Piper PA-28RT-201 (registration N82824) was involved in an aviation accident near Lincoln, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed during a turn downwind for runway 29 after a 4.5-hour cross-country flight. A witness observed a sharp right bank and no engine trouble. No mechanical malfunction was found.
Accident Overview
The aircraft crashed while maneuvering for landing on runway 29 after completing a 4.5-hour cross-country flight. The pilot was in communication with the tower, but no distress calls were recorded.
Witness Account
A witness reported seeing the aircraft approach from the west. The airplane banked sharply to the right at a 45-degree angle just above the trees. The witness stated that "it did not sound like there was any engine trouble" and that the aircraft "was trying to nose up" and "did not look like a plane crashing."
Accident Site
Inspection of the accident site revealed that the aircraft impacted the ground in a wooded area at a descent angle of 48 degrees. The wreckage was oriented on a magnetic heading of 180 degrees.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction.