Piper PA-28-151 N43631

Summary

On 3 January 2009 at about 17:15 local time, a Piper PA-28-151 registered N43631, operated by Warrior Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Powder Springs, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 January 2009 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Powder Springs, Tennessee, United States

Coordinates

36.2164, -83.6858

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-151

Registration

N43631

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Warrior Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sevierville → Warsaw

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA123

2 people died.

The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue under visual flight rules into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After departing the traffic pattern and turning toward mountainous terrain, the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot had some training for his instrument rating but did not yet possess one. A witness who resided near the accident location heard the airplane traveling in a northerly direction and impact terrain. He reported that, the "weather was overcast," and he could not see the tops of the mountains. He estimated that the cloud base at the time was about 100 to 200 feet below the tops of the mountains. Review of a weather briefing which was obtained by the pilot revealed that he was advised that flight under visual flight rules was not recommended due to low ceilings and visibility along the route of flight and that the pilot had declined to file a flight plan. Additionally, no evidence was discovered that indicated the pilot had attempted to receive updated weather information prior to the accident flight, or that he had contact with air traffic control. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or failures.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.