N43620

Substantial
Serious

PIPER PA28S/N: 28-7415539

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, October 10, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA10CA017
Location
Lebanon, VA
Event ID
20091015X85004
Coordinates
36.976943, -81.797775
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into known deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N43620
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
28-7415539
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1974
Model / ICAO
PA28P28A
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
NONE
Status
Deregistered
City
XXXX
State / Zip Code
OK 73125
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that he was in cruise flight at 2,500 feet when he encountered low clouds and fog. He lost visual contact with the ground and initiated a climbing left turn. Seconds later, he impacted rising terrain which resulted in substantial damaged to the wings, fuselage, and the empennage. Prior to the flight, the pilot obtained a weather briefing from a flight service station that forecasted overcast ceilings at 3,000 feet and 10 miles visibility near the route of flight with conditions improving throughout the day. The pilot stated the weather at the time of the accident was approximately 5 miles visibility, with an overcast ceiling at 3,000 feet.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA017