N3645D

Destroyed
Fatal

PIPER AEROSTAR 601 S/N: 61-0844

Summary

On April 04, 1991, a Bell 412SP (N78S) was involved in an accident near Merion, PA. The accident resulted in 5 fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE CAPTAIN OF THE AIRPLANE TO PERMIT THE IN-FLIGHT INSPECTION AFTER HE HAD DETERMINED TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY THAT THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WAS FULLY EXTENDED, THE POOR JUDGMENT OF THE CAPTAIN OF THE HELICOPTER TO CONDUCT THE INSPECTION, AND THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHTCREW OF THE HELICOPTER TO MAINTAIN SAFE SEPARATION.

This accident is documented in NTSB report DCA91MA031. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N78S.

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, April 4, 1991
NTSB Number
DCA91MA031
Location
MERION, PA
Event ID
20001212X16772
Coordinates
39.999595, -75.240890
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
5
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
5

Probable Cause and Findings

THE POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE CAPTAIN OF THE AIRPLANE TO PERMIT THE IN-FLIGHT INSPECTION AFTER HE HAD DETERMINED TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY THAT THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WAS FULLY EXTENDED, THE POOR JUDGMENT OF THE CAPTAIN OF THE HELICOPTER TO CONDUCT THE INSPECTION, AND THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHTCREW OF THE HELICOPTER TO MAINTAIN SAFE SEPARATION.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
61-0844
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
AEROSTAR 601 AEST
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
W W AVIATION INC
Address
MAIN STREET PO BOX 184
Status
Deregistered
City
WOOLRICH
State / Zip Code
PA 17779
Country
United States

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DCA91MA031