Piper PA-28R-200 accident near Nesquehoning, PA
On December 13, 1994, a Piper PA-28R-200 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Nesquehoning, PA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 13, 1994
- Place
- Nesquehoning, PA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.860°N, 75.820°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X02687
NTSB summary
On December 13, 1994, about 1814 eastern standard time, N33049, a Piper PA-28R-200 operated by Gibson Air Academy Inc. of Farmingdale, New Jersey, collided with trees in mountainous terrain at Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a Visual Flight Rules Flight plan was filed. The certificated private pilot and the one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91, and had originated in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The destination was Allaire, New Jersey. Air Traffic Control (ATC) records indicate that the pilot called Altoona Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) and was given a weather briefing that indicated marginal VFR and flight precautions, including mountain obscurations, along his route of flight. He departed Allaire, New Jersey, earlier the day of the accident to pick up his son in Bradford, Pennsylvania. ATC records indicate that the pilot departed Bradford about 1700 eastern standard time. ATC transcripts revealed that at 1738, the pilot contacted Wilkes Barre Approach Control, reported his altitude at 3500 feet MSL and requested flight following. At 1739, the pilot was assigned a transponder beacon code and the airplane was radar identified. At 1741, ATC advised the pilot that they had lost radar contact with the airplane due to low altitude. They suggested he to an altitude of 5500 feet MSL. The flight was radar identified again, and, at 1746, the pilot confirmed that he was level at 5500 feet MSL. At 1812, the Wilkes Barre Approach Controller lost radar contact with the
Probable cause
the non-instrument-rated pilot's poor in-flight decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, at night, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude to ensure clearance from obstructions/terrain. Related factors were the instrument meteorological flight conditions (low ceiling and fog), the dark night, and the pilot's lack of total instrument flight experience.
More accidents in PA
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Browse: Pennsylvania · 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.
