Piper PA-34-200T N2BX

Summary

On 31 March 2002 at about 16:53 local time, a Piper PA-34-200T registered N2BX was involved in an accident near Apex, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 March 2002 at 16:53

Classification

Accident

Location

Apex, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Raleigh/Durham International (RDU)

Coordinates

35.7722, -78.9317

Aircraft

Piper PA-34-200T

Registration

N2BX

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Brunswick → Raleigh-Durham

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02FA069

2 people died.

The pilot experienced spatial disorientation that resulted in the loss of control and the overload failure of the airframe. A factor was low visibility and ceilings.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Upon arriving at the destination airport, the pilot was issued radar vectors to a final approach course for the ILS runway 5R approach. While on the final approach course the controller issued course correction information to the pilot, but the erratic movement of the airplane continued until the airplane descended and disappeared from radar coverage. A witness near the accident site saw the airplane as it fell from the sky in several pieces. Examination of the accident site disclosed that the airplane wreckage was scattered over an area 3/4 mile long. The wreckage examination also failed to disclose a mechanical or system malfunction or component failure. A review of the weather data showed low clouds with a 5500 foot overcast condition at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.