Summary
On May 01, 1995, a Piper PA-24-250 (N6288P) was involved in an incident near Anaconda, MT. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN.
On April 30, 1995, about 1825 hours mountain daylight time, N6288P, a Piper PA-24-250, collided with a tree and was substantially damaged while maneuvering over Anaconda, Montana. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed Missoula, Montana, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
According to the pilot, the pilot's intended destination was Butte, Montana. During the flight, visibility decreased to IMC and the pilot began to maneuver the airplane in an attempt to find visual meteorological conditions. As the airplane was maneuvering in IMC, the airplane's left wing collided with a tree. The pilot radioed a MAYDAY and continued the flight to Butte.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA95LA086. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6288P.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On April 30, 1995, about 1825 hours mountain daylight time, N6288P, a Piper PA-24-250, collided with a tree and was substantially damaged while maneuvering over Anaconda, Montana. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed Missoula, Montana, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
According to the pilot, the pilot's intended destination was Butte, Montana. During the flight, visibility decreased to IMC and the pilot began to maneuver the airplane in an attempt to find visual meteorological conditions. As the airplane was maneuvering in IMC, the airplane's left wing collided with a tree. The pilot radioed a MAYDAY and continued the flight to Butte. The airplane landed in Butte uneventfully. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA95LA086