Piper PA-28-161 accident near Danvers, MA
On May 22, 2001, a Piper PA-28-161 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Danvers, MA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 22, 2001
- Place
- Danvers, MA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 42.586°N, 70.924°W
- NTSB ID
- 20010529X01023
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 21, 2001, about 2201 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161 (Warrior II), N8365M, was destroyed when it impacted terrain approximately a 1/4 mile to the southwest of the Beverly Municipal Airport (BVY), Beverly Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot and both passengers were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed for the local flight that departed Beverly, about 2158. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a witness, while the airplane was taxiing to the run-up area for runway 16, he could see the airplane strobes and landing light reflecting in the mist. He also noticed the light from the airport rotating beacon, which was located on top of the control tower, reflecting in the mist. The witness then went inside to check the current weather conditions at the airport. With the airplane still in the run-up area, the witness listened to the automated surface observing system (ASOS), which was reporting a visibility of 10 miles and a ceiling of 300 feet overcast. The witness was also listening to the common traffic advisory frequency for the airport, and never heard the pilot make any radio announcements. The witness went back outside to watch the airplane depart. When the airplane was approximately 100 feet agl, the landing light went out, and the airplane began to enter the overcast. The airplane turned left near the departure end of the runway, and the witness lost sight of it in the overcast, but could still hear the engine at "full power." When the airp
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in the accident were the dark night, low ceiling, reduced visibility, and the pilot's decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in marginal weather conditions.
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Browse: Massachusetts · 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.
