Summary
On May 31, 2009, a Piper PA-22 (N4824A) was involved in an accident near Aurora, WV. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and preparation which resulted in a low fuel condition requiring an off-airport landing.
The pilot departed Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ), Suffolk, Virginia, at about 1105, with full fuel tanks, enroute to Elkins, (EKN), West Virginia. While enroute at about 6,000 feet above ground level, he encountered weather over the mountains which prevented him from continuing direct to EKN under visual meteorological conditions. At that time he chose to fly north up the valley in hopes of finding a break in the weather. After about 40 minutes, he was unable to continue due to low fuel, and decided to land in a farm pasture. Upon landing, he discovered the grass to be much taller than anticipated. The airplane became entangled resulting in a nose over substantially damaging the vertical stabilizer and wings. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA09CA314. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4824A.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and preparation which resulted in a low fuel condition requiring an off-airport landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot departed Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ), Suffolk, Virginia, at about 1105, with full fuel tanks, enroute to Elkins, (EKN), West Virginia. While enroute at about 6,000 feet above ground level, he encountered weather over the mountains which prevented him from continuing direct to EKN under visual meteorological conditions. At that time he chose to fly north up the valley in hopes of finding a break in the weather. After about 40 minutes, he was unable to continue due to low fuel, and decided to land in a farm pasture. Upon landing, he discovered the grass to be much taller than anticipated. The airplane became entangled resulting in a nose over substantially damaging the vertical stabilizer and wings. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA314