Piper PA-30 accident near Mcmechen, WV
On April 5, 1998, a Piper PA-30 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Mcmechen, WV. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 5, 1998
- Place
- Mcmechen, WV
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.980°N, 80.731°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X09875
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 5, 1998, at 1638 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7845Y, was destroyed during a forced landing to an athletic field complex in McMechen, West Virginia, shortly after takeoff from the Marshall County Airport (74D), Moundsville, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot/owner was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The personal flight originated from 74D, at 1630, and was destined for Wheeling, West Virginia. A review of voice communication tapes between N7845Y and Wheeling Tower revealed the pilot contacted the tower for landing instructions shortly after takeoff from 74D. During communication with the tower the pilot stated: "...we're having problems." When the tower controller asked for clarification of the problem, the pilot stated: "We're ah...I think we're having fuel problems. I'm trying to figure it out." The airplane crashed into the north end of the football field that was on the east side of the field complex. Several witnesses heard and saw the airplane during the accident flight. They each described a loss of engine power on one or both engines, a brief restoration of power, then a total loss of engine power prior to ground contact. In an interview, one witness who was an experienced pilot and aviation mechanic, stated he was at his home 2 miles north of 74D along the departure flight path. He heard the airplane during the takeoff roll and witnessed nearly all of the accident flight. The witness stated he clearly heard two engin
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning and preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion during takeoff.
More accidents in WV
- Bell UH-1B, Jun 22, 2022
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Browse: West Virginia · 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.
