Piper PA-32R-300 N38510

Summary

On 28 January 2006 at about 19:39 local time, a Piper PA-32R-300 registered N38510 was involved in an accident near Camden, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 January 2006 at 19:39

Classification

Accident

Location

Camden, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

31.9797, -87.3561

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-300

Registration

N38510

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Natchez → Camden

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL06FA038

1 person died.

The pilots failure to maintain altitude and clearance during a visual descent which resulting in an in-flight collision with trees and the ground for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was on an instrument flight plan from Mississippi to Alabama and received clearance from the Atlanta air Route Traffic Control center (AARTCC) to descend at pilot's discretion. The pilot acknowledged the clearance and initiated his descent. A short time later the pilot informed the controller that he had "broke out of the clouds and was clear." The pilot advised AARTCC to "go ahead and cancel IFR at this time." AARTCC informed the pilot: there was no traffic between him and his destination airport, squawk 1200, cancellation was received, and frequency change was approved. There was no further radio communication between the pilot and AARTCC. the last recorded radar contact with the airplane was 15 statute miles west of the Camden Airport at 3.300 feet. The wreckage was located in a wooded area the following day. Examination of the crash site revealed that the airplane collided with trees consistent with controlled flight and the engine operating. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical failure of malfunction of the airframe, flight controls, or engine assembly and accessories. According to an acquaintance of the pilot, because of his injuries, the pilot was unable to recall any details of the events leading up to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.