Piper PA-32-260 accident near Front Royal, VA
On August 16, 1994, a Piper PA-32-260 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Front Royal, VA. 5 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 16, 1994
- Place
- Front Royal, VA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-260 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 5 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.920°N, 78.180°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01952
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 16, 1994, at 1346 eastern daylight time, N3701W, a Piper PA-32-260, owned and operated by William H. Peoples of Powell, Ohio, crashed while en route to Delaware, Ohio. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated private pilot and his four passengers were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91. The flight originated in Manteo, North Carolina. The pilot made a fuel stop at Shannon Airport, Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he refueled en route to his destination in Ohio. The airplane collided with trees in mountainous terrain during cruise flight about 11 miles southeast of Warren County Airport, Front Royal, Virginia. According to the FAA, the pilot received a weather briefing which indicated marginal VFR and IFR conditions along his route of flight. A witness who was at the 2300 foot level of the 2900 foot high mountain stated that the airplane was flying low over the mountains. The witness stated that it was foggy at the time and that the clouds had obscured the mountains. Shortly afterward, she heard what was later determined to be the sound of the collision. The airplane was reported overdue. Search personnel found the wreckage eight days later at an elevation of about 2500 feet MSL on the top of Comptons Peak. The accident occurred during the hours of daylight, at 38 degrees 49 minutes North and 10 minutes 24 seconds West. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single engine land rating. The pil
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE, HIS IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION AND HIS INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC) WHICH RESULTED IN IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. THE HIGH TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS.
More accidents in VA
- Boeing 757-200, Sep 11, 2001
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Browse: Virginia · 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.
