Piper PA-34-200T accident near Apex, NC
On March 31, 2002, a Piper PA-34-200T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Apex, NC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 31, 2002
- Place
- Apex, NC
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.772°N, 78.932°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020405X00469
Official records · ATL02FA069
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 31, 2002, at 1153 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N2BX, registered to and co-owned by the pilot, experienced an in-flight break-up following maneuvers, and a rapid descent in Apex, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and instrument flight rules (IFR). Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed for the personnel flight to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The pilot and passenger received fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight originated at Malcolm McKinnon Airport in Brunswick, Georgia, at 1000 on March 31, 2002. A review of radar data and recorded voice communications and transcripts between the pilot and Raleigh-Durham (RDU) Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) found that at 1142:50, N2BX was approximately 30 miles south southwest of RDU north departure radar (N-DR) controller and advised he was inbound to the airport at 9,000 feet with information "Romeo." The N-DR controller advised the pilot to expect the ILS runway 5R approach. The pilot read back 5L and the N-DR controller corrected him to expect 5R. At 1145:29 N2BX was approximately 22 miles south southwest of the airport at a ground speed of 186 knots when the N-DR controller instructed the pilot to descend and maintain 4,000 feet and turn 10 degrees to the left. N2BX's Mode C indicated 9,100. At 1146:58 the N-DR controller instructed the pilot to fly heading 320 degrees Mode C indicated 8,000 feet at a ground speed of 203 knots. The pilot acknowl
Probable cause
The pilot experienced spatial disorientation that resulted in the loss of control and the overload failure of the airframe. A factor was low visibility and ceilings.
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Browse: North 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.
