Piper PA-34-200T accident near Birmingham, AL
On December 16, 1996, a Piper PA-34-200T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Birmingham, AL. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 16, 1996
- Place
- Birmingham, AL
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.461°N, 86.860°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07203
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 16, 1996, about 0719 central standard time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N872SD, registered to Gulf Shores Flying Service Inc., operated by F and B Aviation Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 91 executive/corporate flight, crashed in a residential area in Birmingham, Alabama, while attempting to return to Birmingham International Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire. The airline transport pilot, and two passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated from Birmingham International Airport about 7 minutes before the accident. Two witnesses observed the airplane at about 200 to 300 feet flying southwest bound towards the Bell South building located in the vicinity of the Alabama Power helipad, about 1/2 mile east of the Birmingham International Airport extended centerline for runway 23. The airplane pitched up and down, banked left to right,"at a very slow airspeed." "Both engines sounded like they were not at full power." The airplane disappeared from view behind an adjacent building. Another witness who was driving his truck in the vicinity of the crash site observed the accident airplane flying at a low altitude. The left propeller was not turning and the airplane appeared to attempt a landing at a park. The airplane pulled up and disappeared from view behind his truck. Other witnesses located near the crash site also observed the airplane flying towards the north at a very low altitude. The wings were wobbling left and right. The airplane made a left descending t
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to follow emergency procedures and feather the malfunctioning engine, which led to a forced landing and subsequent collision with a chimney (residence) and the terrain. His lack of recent experience in make/model of aircraft was a related factor.
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Browse: Alabama · 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.
