WATERTOWN, WI, USA
N4070Q
PIPER PA-32R-300
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN APPROX 1/2 MI SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF. A POLICE OFFICER OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE TAXI TO THE RUNWAY; HE DID NOT SEE THE AIRPLANE TAKE OFF. HE DESCRIBED THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME AS HEAVY RAIN WITH LIGHTNING AND THUNDER, AND HIGH WINDS. A PASSENGER IN AN AUTOMOBILE ON A HIGHWAY 1500 FT WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED WHAT SHE THOUGHT TO BE A 'SHOOTING STAR'. SHE STATED THEY WERE DRIVING SLOWER THAN NORMAL BECAUSE OF HEAVY RAIN. THE PILOT STATED TO FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HE HAD TO FLY AND DO THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS BEFORE MIDNIGHT OR HE WOULD LOSE HIS LICENSE. HIS LAST FLIGHT WAS 92 DAYS (EXACTLY 3 CALENDAR MONTHS) BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.
INITIATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER AND INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGIAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN CURRENCY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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