N115DSGRUMMAN GA-7 1989-01-26 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Fatal

GRUMMAN GA-7 S/N: GA-70115

Summary

On January 26, 1989, a Grumman GA-7 (N115DS) was involved in an accident near Spartansburg, PA. The accident resulted in 4 fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOTS DECISION TO DISREGARD THE WEATHER FORECAST AND ATTEMPT FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS. AFTER THE WINGS STARTED TO ICE UP, THE PILOT INITIATED A CLIMB BUT COULD NOT MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND INADVERTANTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT WHICH ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED HIGH SPEED DESCENT TO THE GROUND.

This accident is documented in NTSB report NYC89FA073. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N115DS.

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, January 26, 1989
NTSB Number
NYC89FA073
Location
SPARTANSBURG, PA
Event ID
20001213X27647
Coordinates
41.820468, -79.680931
Nearest Airport
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
4
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOTS DECISION TO DISREGARD THE WEATHER FORECAST AND ATTEMPT FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS. AFTER THE WINGS STARTED TO ICE UP, THE PILOT INITIATED A CLIMB BUT COULD NOT MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND INADVERTANTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT WHICH ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED HIGH SPEED DESCENT TO THE GROUND.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
GRUMMAN
Serial Number
GA-70115
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
GA-7 G73
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
ELIZABETHTOWN AIR INC
Address
189 RIDGE VIEW ROAD SOUTH
Status
Deregistered
City
ELIZABETHTOWN
State / Zip Code
PA 17022
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# NYC89FA073