Piper PA-31-310 accident near Southport, NC
On March 22, 1998, a Piper PA-31-310 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Southport, NC. 3 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 22, 1998
- Place
- Southport, NC
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-31-310 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.920°N, 78.020°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X09626
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 22, 1998, at 1050 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-31-310, N715PM, impacted trees shortly after takeoff from runway 23 at the Brunswick County Airport in Southport, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by Arapahoe Aviation, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for this cross country flight. The pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he arrived at the airport and preflighted. He stated he checked the fuel quantity in the inboard fuel tanks, but may have omitted the outboard tanks because he did not intend to use them. He departed and climbed at blue line (best rate of climb speed) until 100 feet above the runway when the airplane yawed right. He believed it was a gust of wind, and attempted to control the airplane with rudder and left aileron. At about 200 feet above ground level (AGL), the airplane rolled hard right and impacted trees in a 60 degree nose down attitude. The pilot stated that he was unaware of any engine problems at the time of the accident. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. His certificate was issued February 5, 1990. His last medical certificate, a third class, was issued June 24, 1997, and contained the limitation that the pilot must wear corrective lenses in order to exercise the pri
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to follow the preflight checklist, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the significance of the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft following the loss of engine power.
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Browse: North 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.
