Lockheed PV2 accident near Blandburg, PA
On April 20, 1997, a Lockheed PV2 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Blandburg, PA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 20, 1997
- Place
- Blandburg, PA
- Aircraft
- Lockheed PV2 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.661°N, 78.450°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07724
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 20, 1997, about 1437 eastern daylight time, a Lockheed PV2, N6856C, was destroyed when it impacted trees while dropping fire retardant in Blandburg, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot/owner and co-pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane, operated by Hirth Air Tanker, was flying in support of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Forest Fire Protection. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The flight originated from the Mid-State Airport, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, about 1415. The airplane had been dispatched from Mid-State Airport to drop water on a fire. According to a witness in a fire tower, "I reported when it (N6856C) passed Lost Mt. It went over to the fire, turned west past the fire, then turned and went east back past the fire. Then turned west again to make its drop." Another witness southeast of the accident site stated: "...I observed the aircraft on its run just before it crashed. I estimate the aircraft was in my view about twenty to twenty-five seconds. The engines did not sound like they were malfunctioning as the props sounded synchronized and they were not turning at an excessive R.P.M. Nothing was trailing from the aircraft such as smoke or fuel. The plane passed in front of me at an altitude of about 1,500 feet, however, it would have been much closer to the ridge-tops, as I was in a valley. I observed the airplane making a shallow, descending left turn, heading into the wind. It continued de
Probable cause
Pilot in command misjudged his maneuvering altitude. Factors to this accident were the mountainous terrain, windy conditions, turbulence in the area, and smoke.
More accidents in PA
- Boeing B-737-300, Sep 8, 1994
- Boeing 757, Sep 11, 2001
- British Aerospace J-3101, May 21, 2000
- Bell UH-1N, May 29, 2008
- Beech A36, Jul 30, 1989
Browse: Pennsylvania · Lockheed aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
