Piper PA-28-181 accident near McEwen, TN
On November 3, 2001, a Piper PA-28-181 (airplane) was involved in an accident near McEwen, TN. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 3, 2001
- Place
- McEwen, TN
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.161°N, 87.686°W
- NTSB ID
- 20011108X02213
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 3, 2001, at 0155 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N43334, collided with the ground in McEwen, Tennessee, shortly after takeoff from the Humphreys County Airport in Waverly, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by Pilot's Choice Aviation and flown by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The pilot and two passengers received fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed. The flight originated in Georgetown, Texas, at 1530 the previous day. The pilot's original destination was Clarksville, Tennessee. However, because of adverse weather conditions in Clarksville, the pilot diverted to Waverly, Tennessee. According to security tapes at Waverly, the pilot fueled the airplane after landing and then pushed it back out of the view of the security camera. The pilot contacted the Nashville automated Flight Service Station about 2200 and again about 0100 for a weather briefing. The pilot limited the briefing by only asking what Ft. Campbell was reporting for visibility. At both times, Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, was reporting less than three miles visibility and fog. At 0130, the flight departed Waverly for Clarksville. The airplane was last seen on radar about 0155, at 1600 feet mean sea level. The airplane was found in a pasture by a local farmer at daybreak that morning, in McEwen, Tennessee. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private certificate with privileges for airplane single engine land.
Probable cause
The pilot initiated a VFR flight into known IMC conditions which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Factors were the low ceilings.
More accidents in TN
- Cessna 501, May 29, 2021
- Cessna 421B, Dec 2, 2004
- Piper PA32RT, Mar 5, 2024
- Bell 206, Apr 4, 2016
- Beech A36, Sep 1, 2007
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.
