Piper PA-28-180 accident near Alma, GA
On February 12, 2004, a Piper PA-28-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Alma, GA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 12, 2004
- Place
- Alma, GA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 31.520°N, 82.501°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040218X00196
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 11, 2004, about 2110 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N6473J, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with trees and the ground during approach to Bacon County Airport, Alma, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot, the pilot-rated passenger, and the rear-seated passenger received fatal injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed St. Lucie County International Airport, Fort Pierce, Florida, at 1902. According to witnesses, the pilot departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the airplane alone about 1800 and flew the airplane to Fort Pierce, Florida, to pick up the two passengers. According to air traffic control records, the flight departed Fort Pierce, Florida, at 1902 and proceeded north under visual flight rules (VFR) with flight following at 4,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). At 2055, while approximately 22 nautical miles southeast of the Bacon County Airport, Alma, Georgia, the pilot contacted Jacksonville Center air traffic control and stated he "would like to start a slow descent" toward the airport. The controller stated, "november seven three juliet roger maintain VFR." A review of radar data revealed the airplane descended directly toward the airport on an approximate 336-degree magnetic ground track. The last recorded radar position for the flight was at 2102 approximately 9 nautical miles southeast of the airport at 2,400 feet MSL. According
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision, and his failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in continued VFR flight into IMC and the subsequent collision with trees during approach.
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Browse: Georgia · 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.
