Piper PA-32RT accident near Selmer, TN
On October 15, 2000, a Piper PA-32RT (airplane) was involved in an accident near Selmer, TN. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 15, 2000
- Place
- Selmer, TN
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 3 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.170°N, 88.589°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X22102
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 15, 2000, at 1318 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT, N789CS, collided with trees and subsequently the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 35 at the Robert Sibley Airport in Selmer, Tennessee. The airplane was owned and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, three passengers received serious injuries, and one passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed by impact and subsequent post-crash fire. The flight was departing Selmer, Tennessee, at the time of the accident. The pilot-rated passenger, who occupied the right front seat, had filed an IFR flight plan from Selmer, Tennessee, to Shreveport, Louisiana. According to witnesses at the airport who were watching the takeoff, the airplane used about 3/4ths of the 5,002-foot runway on the takeoff roll, and just before liftoff they heard the engine "miss-fire". They said the airplane did not seem to climb, and they observed it porpoise just above the trees. The airplane porpoised two or three times and then disappeared into the trees, and a crash was heard followed by smoke and fire. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private certificate with airplane single engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument ratings. The pilot reported having 610 hours on his last medical examination. The pilot's most recent second-class medical was issued on July 12, 2000, with a limitation that
Probable cause
The pilots inadequate preflight planning and preparation, that resulted in exceeding the designed weight and balance of the airplane. Factors were the pilot's use of inappropriate medications and the collision with trees.
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Browse: Tennessee · 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.
