Piper PA-28-140 accident near Bad Axe, MI
On October 5, 1998, a Piper PA-28-140 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Bad Axe, MI. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 5, 1998
- Place
- Bad Axe, MI
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 43.800°N, 82.990°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X11208
NTSB summary
History of Flight On October 5, 1998, at 1020 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N648FL, was destroyed when it hit a powerline utility pole northeast of the Huron County Memorial Airport, Bad Axe, Michigan. The airplane burst into flames after it impacted the pole and was consumed by fire when it impacted the ground. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from Sebewaing Township Airport, Sebewaing, Michigan, with Huron County Memorial Airport, Bad Axe, Michigan, as the destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. Witnesses reported the airplane was based out of the Huron County Memorial Airport. A witness reported the pilot and passenger had flown to Sebewaing, about 20 nautical miles from Bad Axe, earlier in the day where the airplane had been fueled with 20 gallons of 80/87 aviation fuel. Witnesses at the Huron County Memorial Airport reported seeing the airplane flying from the west to the east at what appeared to be pattern altitude for a normal traffic pattern entry for runway 21, although runway 17 was available. The winds were 140 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15. The witnesses reported the airplane descended to what appeared to be a left downwind for runway 21, but the airplane's altitude was 75 to 100 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane crossed over Nugent Road that ran north and south. Witnesses reported that the left wing dropped to about a 30 degree bank. A witness reported he saw the airplane descend, and then saw a fireball "... about the size of
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the wires.
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Browse: Michigan · 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.
