Piper PA-28-160 N160D

Summary

On 9 March 2002 at about 09:53 local time, a Piper PA-28-160 registered N160D was involved in an accident near Laurens, South 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

9 March 2002 at 09:53

Classification

Accident

Location

Laurens, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Greenwood (GRD)

Coordinates

34.5833, -81.9500

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-160

Registration

N160D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cadiz → Greenwood

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ATL02FA063

2 people died.

The pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of control and the subsequent collision with terrain. Factors were low clouds and dark-night.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While maneuvering for a night instrument approach, the airplane collided with terrain. According to a witness, a sound of an airplane circling his home was heard. Several minutes later the witness heard a "loud thud". At the approximate same time, Atlanta Center reported a loss of radar contact. The downed airplane was located several hours later following a ground search. Witnesses in the area at the time of the accident, reported dense fog. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular #60-4A: during periods of low visibility a pilot is particularly vulnerable to disorientation. Examination of the accident site showed that wreckage debris was scattered in a heavily wooded area over an area 110 feet long and 30 feet wide. The engine and propeller assemblies were buried approximately four feet into the ground in a nose down attitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.