RIVER FALLS, WI, USA
N25687
PIPER PA-38-112
THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVERING. WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT ALL SAW THE AIRPLANE IN A STEEP TURNING DESCENT WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PIC HAD IN HIS POSSESSION A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN 1948. A REVIEW OF THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK SHOWED A TOTAL OF 39.7 FLIGHT HOURS OF AVIATION EXPERIENCE OVER 40 YEARS. APPROXIMATELY 22 OF THOSE FLIGHT HOURS WERE OBTAINED WHEN HE RESUMED FLYING AFTER A 39 YEAR HIATUS. A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION SHOWED NO DEFECTS IN THE AIRPLANE.
IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AVIATION EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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