Piper PA-34-200T accident near Galion, OH
On August 2, 2003, a Piper PA-34-200T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Galion, OH. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 2, 2003
- Place
- Galion, OH
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 2 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.735°N, 82.719°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030818X01350
Official records · IAD03FA069
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Air Traffic Control Transcripts: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 2, 2003, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T airplane, N577SK, was destroyed when it collided with trees and terrain while maneuvering near Galion, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot/owner and a passenger were fatally injured. The two other passengers sustained serious injuries. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK), Akron, Ohio, about 1411, destined for Galion Municipal Airport (GQQ), Galion, Ohio. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. At 1210, the pilot contacted the Cleveland, Ohio, Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) and obtained a weather briefing. He told the weather briefer that he planned to depart Akron-Canton Airport about 1310 and fly to Galion, Ohio. The pilot said he was hopeful that he would be able to make the flight under visual flight rules (VFR) conditions due to anticipated precipitation and thunderstorms. The weather briefer informed the pilot that the air mass along the route of flight was unstable, and cumulous clouds were starting to appear on satellite imagery in western Ohio. No echoes appeared on weather radar, but the "potential" for thunderstorm activity existed and could occur at anytime, anywhere and be any size. The weather briefer told the pilot that if he left in the next hour, he should not run into any weather problems, but should obtain another weather briefing prior to departing Galion. No AIRMETS were issued, but the Area Forecast reported a threat of scattered ra
Probable cause
The pilot's improper in-flight decision making and flight into known adverse weather conditions while maneuvering to land. Also causal was the pilot's failure to regard the pre-flight weather briefing. Factors were the thunderstorm, rain, wind gusts and hail.
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Browse: Ohio · 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.
