Piper PA-31-350 accident near Sanderson, WV
On August 16, 2002, a Piper PA-31-350 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Sanderson, WV. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 16, 2002
- Place
- Sanderson, WV
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-31-350 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.360°N, 81.278°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020905X01532
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 16, 2002, about 1135 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N680HP, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during a descent near Sanderson, West Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from the Charleston International Airport (CHS), Charleston, South Carolina, destined for the Yeager Airport (CRW), Charleston, West Virginia. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed and activated for the positioning flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to witnesses, the pilot flew five passengers from Charleston, West Virginia, to Charleston, South Carolina, earlier in the day. The flight was conducted without incident, and once on the ground, the passengers deplaned. After the lineman serviced the airplane with a full load of fuel, he and the pilot had a short conversation. During the conversation, the pilot seemed relaxed, not rushed, and in good health. The conversation ended, the pilot conducted a walk around inspection, and reboarded the airplane for the flight back to Charleston, West Virginia. According to air traffic control data, the airplane departed Charleston, South Carolina, and proceeded towards Charleston, West Virginia. Once in the Charleston, West Virginia, area the pilot was given a frequency change from Indianapolis Center to Charleston Approach Control. After contacting approach, the pilot was cleared to descend from 8,000 feet msl to 5,000 feet msl. According to radar data, after leaving 8,000 feet msl, the airplane mainta
Probable cause
Physiological impairment or incapacitation likely related to the pilot's recent exacerbation of Crohn's disease. A factor in the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight in his current medical condition.
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Browse: West 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.
