Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-160 near Indiana, PA — 2009-01-04

Final reportERA09LA124
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Date
2009-01-04
Location
Indiana, PA, USA
Airport
IDI
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-160
Registration
N5212W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to attempt VFR flight in IMC conditions, resulting in a collision with trees during a go-around.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and two passengers took off with the intent to fly around the traffic pattern. The automated weather reporting system for the field reported steadily deteriorating conditions from earlier in the day and up to the time of departure, with instrument meteorological conditions prevailing throughout the flight. The pilot was not instrument rated and the airplane was not equipped for instrument flight. The flight continued after twilight into full darkness. The pilot stated that he encountered fog that obscured his view of the runway. After five unsuccessful approaches, the pilot stated that he could see the lights on runway 28, which was mostly behind the airplane. The pilot elected to make one more go around and attempt to land on the runway; the airplane impacted trees 1,200 feet northwest of the runway. The airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot stated that he had no intentions of flying that day due to the weather. He said that he was only to going to refuel the airplane, but one of the passengers convinced him to take the airplane once in the pattern.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have aborted the flight after observing poor weather conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 17 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents17

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