Piper PA-28-160 accident near Laurens, SC
On March 9, 2002, a Piper PA-28-160 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Laurens, SC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 9, 2002
- Place
- Laurens, SC
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-160 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.583°N, 81.950°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020314X00345
Official records · ATL02FA063
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 9, 2002, at 0453 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-160, N160D, registered to and operated by the pilot, collided with the ground while maneuvering for an instrument approach to the Greenwood Airport near Laurens, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan. Instrument weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot and his passenger received fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The flight departed Harrison City County, Ohio, at 0130. On March 8, 2002, at 1035, the pilot obtained an outlook briefing from the Cleveland, Ohio Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS), for the flight to Greenwood, South Carolina. The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the route was briefed to the pilot and subject to change. The pilot was advised to get a standard preflight briefing before leaving on his flight. At 2029, the pilot telephoned Cleveland AFSS to get another outlook briefing. The pilot was told that there was a storm developing north of his route, which may affect the decision to make the trip. At 2120, the pilot telephoned Cleveland AFSS again to request another outlook briefing for the next morning. The pilot asked if it would be better to depart that same evening. He was given the necessary data and informed that he would have to make that decision. The pilot acknowledged that he would have to make that decision and would call back. At 2247, the pilot telephoned Cleveland AFSS and filed an instrument flight plan from Harrison City County Airpo
Probable cause
The pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of control and the subsequent collision with terrain. Factors were low clouds and dark-night.
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Browse: South Carolina · 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.
