Piper PA-31-310 Navajo crash, Oct 3, 1978 (5 killed), Lex...
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident on October 3, 1978 near Lexington-Blue Grass Kentucky, United States with 5 fatalities. Cause: Engine failure caused by...
- Date: October 3, 1978
- Aircraft: Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
- Location: Lexington-Blue Grass Kentucky, United States
- Fatalities: 5
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Engine failure caused by a crankshaft failure, followed by a collision with trees and a crash during the climb.
A Piper PA-31P Navajo (N338J) took off from Blue Grass Airport, Lexington, on a night flight to Fort Smith on 3 October 1978. Shortly after takeoff it failed to gain height, struck tree tops, stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area. All five occupants were killed. The NTSB investigated (report IAD79FA001).