Piper PA-44-180 accident near Columbia, SC
On September 27, 1995, a Piper PA-44-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Columbia, SC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 27, 1995
- Place
- Columbia, SC
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-44-180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.999°N, 81.030°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04418
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 27, 1995, at 0156 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180, N2160E, collided with trees and then the terrain during an instrument approach to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Columbia, South Carolina. The pilot and his safety pilot were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire. The airplane was being operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was in effect for the personal flight. The flight originated at the Macon Downtown Airport, Macon, Georgia, at approximately 0000 hours. The pilot had rented a block of flight time in the airplane, from the airplane's owner, to build his proficiency. Since he did not meet insurance requirements to conduct solo operations, a safety pilot had accompanied him on the flight. Approximately 2330 hours the pilot contacted Macon Automated Flight Service Station to file an IFR flight plan, and received a weather briefing for the flight. The pilot received the forecasted weather conditions for the destination, and for the surrounding airports in order to select an alternate. As the pilot climbed to cruising altitude he received the Macon altimeter of 29.95; the setting was given at 0002 and again at 0007 hours. At 0039 the pilot reported that he had the current weather at Columbia via ATIS (Automated Terminal Information System) and was issued the Columbia altimeter setting of 29.94. The flight had been cleared for, and was conducting an instrument landing system approach to runway 11, at 00
Probable cause
the pilot's improper IFR procedure by allowing the airplane to descend below the ILS glideslope and by continued descent below the decision height. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, and fog.
More accidents in SC
- Beech 200, Feb 4, 2006
- Piper PA-32R-300, Jul 2, 2023
- Beech 58TC, Dec 26, 1991
- Learjet LR60, Sep 20, 2008
- Mooney M20J, Apr 17, 2026
Browse: South 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.
