Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC91LA036

CHESWOLD, DE, USA

Aircraft #1

N7400J

PIPER PA-28-140

Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH TWO PASSENGERS AT NIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND APPROX 27 HOURS LATER. THE AIRPLANE HAD DEPARTED RUNWAY 27 AND THEN CONTACTED TREES LOCATED 600 FT OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY ON A HEADING OF 215 DEGREES. THE DEBRIS WAS SCATTERED ALONG A HEADING OF 285 DEGREES FOR 145 FEET. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREEXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE.

Probable Cause and Findings

A LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT, BY A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIS DECISION TO FLY AFTER HE RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFINGS WHICH INLCUDED 'VFR FLIGHT NOT RECOMMENDED'.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports