Piper PA-34-200T accident near Covington, TN
On April 8, 1995, a Piper PA-34-200T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Covington, TN. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 8, 1995
- Place
- Covington, TN
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.559°N, 89.640°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X03213
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 8, 1995, at 1630 central daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N6390C, was destroyed after it broke up in flight near Covington, Tennessee. The commercial pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated in Arlington, Tennessee, about 1620. The flight was cleared to climb under VFR (visual flight rules) at the pilot's discretion. Recovered radar data indicates that the aircraft climbed to about 7,600 feet mean sea level (msl), on a northeasterly heading, followed by a rapid descent. During the time period of 1628:46 to 1629:09, the aircraft descended from 7,200 feet msl to 5,400 feet msl. During this period, recorded ground speed varied between 179 and 208 knots. At 1629:23, an altitude of 2,500 feet was observed, with a corresponding ground speed of 50 knots. The final radar return was at 1630:32, where the radar indicates "coast" mode (no altitude return available), and a ground speed of 61 knots. Several witnesses reported that they heard increased engine noise, or "revving", followed by a loud, booming noise. One witness stated that he observed the right wing fold back against the fuselage. Another witness reported that he saw the right wing come off, followed by the aircraft "coming down like a helicopter." Another witness stated that he heard the airplane "spit and sputter", followed by the sound of one of the engines revving up high.
Probable cause
THE PILOT EXCEEDED THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT AND SUBSEQUENT OVERLOAD FAILURES OF THE STABILATOR AND WING SPARS.
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Browse: Tennessee · 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.
