Piper PA-28-RT201 accident near Manassas, VA
On March 20, 2001, a Piper PA-28-RT201 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Manassas, VA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 20, 2001
- Place
- Manassas, VA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-RT201 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.714°N, 77.507°W
- NTSB ID
- 20010410X00725
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 19, 2001, about 1900 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-RT201 Arrow, N2380U, was destroyed during a collision with trees and terrain while on approach to runway 34R at the Manassas Regional Airport, (HEF), Manassas, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot/owner was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated at the St. Mary's County Airport (2W6), Leonardtown, Maryland. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot's son, the pilot flew to St. Mary's to drop off clothes that belonged to his granddaughter, and was returning to Manassas when the accident occurred. The pilot left a message on a telephone answering machine about 1730, saying that he would wait at St. Mary's until 1800, then depart for Manassas. A review of an Air Traffic Control (ATC) transcript revealed that the pilot contacted the Manassas Tower for landing instructions. According to the transcript: 18:48:08 - Pilot: manassas tower piper two three eight zero uniform with romeo we're six miles east landing manassas. 18:48:14 - Tower: two three eight zero uniform piper type enter the right base three four right report two out. 18:48:20 - Pilot: report two out piper arrow eight uniform. 18:55:06 - Tower: arrow two three eight zero uniform tower. 18:55:09 - Pilot: tower arrow three eight zero uniform three miles out from three four right. 18:55:13 - Tower: okay you on the base yet? 18:55:14 - Pilot: affirmative. 18:55:28 - Tower: eight zero uniform not in sight three four right
Probable cause
The pilot's spatial disorientation due to a night visual illusion. A factor was the dark night condition.
More accidents in VA
- Boeing 757-200, Sep 11, 2001
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Browse: 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.
