Piper PA-32R-300 N47863
18 February 2012 · Swainsboro, Georgia, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 18 February 2012 at about 00:30 local time, a Piper PA-32R-300 registered N47863, operated by Ronnie Osburn, was involved in an accident near Swainsboro, Georgia, United States. 7 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 00:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Swainsboro, Georgia, United States
- Nearest airport
- Emanuel County Airport (SBO)
- Coordinates
- 32.6092, -82.3700
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300
- Registration
- N47863
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Ronnie Osburn
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Winter Haven → Swainsboro
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night
- NTSB number
- ERA12CA190
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper glidepath during final approach in night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot reported that the airplane was approaching the destination airport on the base leg of the traffic pattern in night visual meteorological conditions. At that time, the runway lights were set on high intensity, which diluted the threshold lights. Additionally, the pilot stated that the red localizer antenna hazard lights distracted him (they were located about 750 feet before the runway threshold). He further stated that he was too low and struck trees during final approach. The airplane impacted trees with both wings about 2,400 feet before the runway threshold. The impact with trees resulted in damage to the left wing spar, lower fuselage, and the stabilator. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Following the accident, the airport manager checked all runway lighting and found them to be operational.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-32R accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug 2012 | Piper PA-32R-301T | Riverview, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Oct 2012 | Piper PA-32R-301T | Laramie Peak, Wyoming, United States | Maverick M. Cayce | Fatal | 4 |
| 14 Mar 2012 | Piper PA-32R-300 | Warrenton, Virginia, United States | Landers Morris John JR | No injuries | - |
| 25 Mar 2012 | Piper PA-32R-300 | Treasure Cay, Bahamas | Gregory Schwartzenberger | Fatal | 4 |
| 28 Oct 2012 | Piper PA-32R-300 | Sevierville, Tennessee, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 Jul 2012 | Piper PA-32R-301 | Fairbanks, Alaska, United States | West Valley Flying Club | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 May 2012 | Beechcraft B90 | Savannah, Georgia, United States | Riddell Enterprises | No injuries | - |
| 18 Aug 2012 | McLeod Alan FW-190 1/2 SCALE | Columbus, Georgia, United States | George A. Wade | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Feb 2012 | Piper PA-36-300 | Americus, Georgia, United States | Souther Field Aviation Inc | No injuries | - |
| 26 Sep 2012 | Cessna 208B | Statesboro, Georgia, United States | DST, LLC | No injuries | - |
| 8 Jun 2012 | Bowen Christopher W DOGBEE | Wrens, Georgia, United States | Bowen Christopher W | Fatal | 1 |
| 20 Jul 2012 | Brenholt Larry R RV-4 | Cedartown, Georgia, United States | Murphy Ronald J | Fatal | 1 |