Piper PA-28-180 accident near Murphy, NC
On February 8, 1994, a Piper PA-28-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Murphy, NC. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 8, 1994
- Place
- Murphy, NC
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.089°N, 84.019°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X00694
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 7, 1994, about 1900 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9637J, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain near Murphy, North Carolina. The commercial pilot was fatally injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Statesville, North Carolina about 1630. An associate of the pilot stated that he had departed Statesville in a Cessna 172 at the same time as the Piper 180. He stated that he and the pilot of the Piper 180 had planned to fly the two aircraft in sight of each other to Athens, Tennessee. He stated that just east of Murphy, North Carolina, his aircraft was running low on fuel, and he decided to stop in Murphy and purchase fuel. He contacted the pilot of the Piper 180, and informed her of his decision. She stated that she did not need fuel, and was continuing to Athens. The pilot of the Cessna stated that it was a dark night, and the mountainous terrain was hard to see in the dark. The Piper 180 aircraft was located about 5 miles south of Murphy, North Carolina, in mountainous terrain, at an elevation of 4940 feet above sea level. The aircraft impacted the terrain about 200 feet below the top of the ridge line. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. She also held a flight instructors certificate with airplane single and multiengine rat
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors in the accident were the dark night, and the mountainous terrain.
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Browse: North Carolina · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
