Piper PA-24-250 accident near Florence, SC
On February 6, 2003, a Piper PA-24-250 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Florence, SC. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 6, 2003
- Place
- Florence, SC
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-250 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.279°N, 79.760°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030210X00191
Official records · ATL03FA041
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Radio Communications: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 6, 2003, at 1853 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N5587P, registered to and operated by Hartford Holding Corporation, collided with trees while maneuvering in the vicinity of Florence, South Carolina. The positioning flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and the certificated flight instructor, the certificated flight instructor-rated passenger, and the other passenger received fatal injuries. The flight departed Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, Ormond Beach, Florida, on February 6, 2003 at 1530. The flight was en route to Marlboro County Avent Field in Bennettsville, South Carolina. According to radar data, about 1841, the flight was at 5,300 feet transitioning the airspace of Florence Regional Airport, Florence, South Carolina, and the pilot contacted Florence air traffic control and requested if there was any visual weather conditions to the north. The controller provided the pilot with the weather information he had at the time, which was 600 feet overcast at Fayetteville, North Carolina. The pilot elected to proceed to Fayetteville, North Carolina. The controller cleared the flight direct to Fayetteville, North Carolina, and instructed the pilot to descend to 5,000 feet and join victor airway 56. According to radar data, about 1849, the airplane's altitude was at 800 feet, and the controller instructed the pilot to climb. The controller requested the pilot to identif
Probable cause
The pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of control and the subsequent collision with the ground. A factors was dark night and clouds.
More accidents in SC
- Beech 200, Feb 4, 2006
- Piper PA-32R-300, Jul 2, 2023
- Beech 58TC, Dec 26, 1991
- Learjet LR60, Sep 20, 2008
- Mooney M20J, Apr 17, 2026
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.
