Piper PA-32-300 accident near Apple Creek, OH
On September 2, 2000, a Piper PA-32-300 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Apple Creek, OH. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 2, 2000
- Place
- Apple Creek, OH
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-300 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.751°N, 81.841°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X22047
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 2, 2000, about 0555 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N2102X, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in Apple Creek, Ohio, shortly after takeoff from Stoltzfus Airport (OH22), Kidron, Ohio. The certificated airline transport pilot, the certificated private pilot-passenger, and two additional passengers were fatally injured. A fourth passenger received serious injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was destined for the Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL), Cleveland, Ohio. According to Stoltzfus Airport records, the airplane arrived at OH22 the previous day. The pilot requested that the airplane be fueled, and received 45.2 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation gasoline. An airport employee stated that he heard the airplane takeoff from runway 36, a 3,450-foot long asphalt runway, but did not see it. He further said that the airplane sounded normal and did not hear any apparent problems. A passenger, who was seated in the aft right seat of the airplane, stated that he arrived at OH22 early the morning of the accident. Some light fog was present and it was still dark. The passenger observed the pilot performing some routine checks on the airplane. The pilot then "keyed" the runway lights and the lights were illuminated all the way down to the end of the runway. When the pilot completed his checks, the passenger asked him if he should bring a large or small cooler, which the pilot replie
Probable cause
The pilot's premature liftoff and failure to attain a proper climb rate. Factors related to the accident were the over-gross weight conditions, and the low cloud ceilings.
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Browse: Ohio · 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.
