Piper PA-28-180 accident near Cheswold, DE
On October 12, 2003, a Piper PA-28-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Cheswold, DE. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 12, 2003
- Place
- Cheswold, DE
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 39.218°N, 75.596°W
- NTSB ID
- 20031016X01743
Official records · NYC04LA007
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 12, 2003, at 1905 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N5320L, was substantially damaged while landing at the Delaware Airpark (33N), Cheswold, Delaware. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured, and a passenger was seriously injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from the Hazelton Municipal Airport (HZL), Hazelton, Pennsylvania. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the passenger, the flight departed 33N at approximately 1100, and proceeded to HZL. She recalled that the flight was smooth, and that there was a headwind. She also noticed that pilot switched fuel tanks from the left to the right tank during the flight. On the return trip, the flight departed HZL approximately 1800. The pilot commented to the passenger that they had a good tailwind, and that the fuel burn would be low. When the flight arrived in the Cheswold area, the passenger heard the pilot announce "downwind" on the radio, and the airplane began to descend. On final approach to runway 27, she noticed off to her right that a tree was above them, and subsequently felt a bump. The passenger then observed power lines, saw a bright flash, and did not recall anything further. The passenger also stated that the final approach was unusual because they normally landed at 33N on runway 9, not runway 27. She added that the pilot was wearing eyeglasses during the flight. The accident occurred during the hours of darkness, at 39 degrees, 13.22 minutes north long
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with an unlit utility pole. Factors related to the accident were the unlit utility pole, and the dark night conditions.
More accidents in DE
- Cessna 750, Mar 1, 2012
- Piper PA28, Sep 26, 2015
- Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, May 23, 2010
- Beech BE-200, Jun 16, 1992
- Piper PA-34, Nov 2, 2013
Browse: Delaware · 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.
