Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Middlesboro, Kentucky, April 3, 1988
On April 3, 1988 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, registered N8171P, was destroyed in an accident near Middlesboro, Kentucky. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 7 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 3, 1988 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Middlesboro, Kentucky · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 7 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301T PA-32R-301 · all PA-32R-301Ts on the register
- Registration
- N8171P · registry record · serial 32R8029053
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT RECEIVED PREFLT WX BRIEFING THAT STATED VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AFFECTING PROPOSED FLT PATH. WX FORECAST INCLUDED TORNADOES, HAIL, THUNDERSTORMS TO 42,000', MODERATE RIME ICING, MODERATE TURBULENCE, WIND GUSTS TO 70 KTS, LOW CEILINGS AND POOR VISIBILITY. THE FLT DEPARTED VFR AND THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 5 DAYS LATER IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE ACFT HAD COLLIDED WITH A MOUNTAIN AT APPROX 2,900' MSL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL OR STRUCTURAL MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE IMPACT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 852 hours in all; 446 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 805 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,051 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 1987
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Cox Manufacturing CO. INC.
The flight
- Departed from: JES Jesup GA at 6:30 pm
- Destination: I22 Winchester IN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,200 ft; scat at 900 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from LOZ, 39 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 6 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.