Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Ukiah, CA
On April 4, 2004, a Piper PA-32R-301T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ukiah, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 4, 2004
- Place
- Ukiah, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.122°N, 123.200°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040409X00441
Official records · LAX04FA177
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 4, 2004, about 0810 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga SP II, N4130D, experienced an in-flight collision with terrain about 2 minutes after departing from the Ukiah Municipal Airport, Ukiah, California. Gypsy Flyer, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. The personal cross-country flight was en route to Willows, California. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The primary wreckage was at 39 degrees 07.34 minutes north latitude and 123 degrees 11.605 minutes west longitude. In an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), an air ambulance helicopter pilot with an airline transport pilot rating stated that he was airborne and en route to Ukiah during the accident. While approaching the vicinity of the airport, he noted that visual meteorological conditions prevailed, but observed instrument conditions materializing. He monitored the Ukiah Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), which reported conditions of 100 feet overcast, with visibility between 1 and 1 3/4 miles. After receiving a clearance from Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) Oakland Center, he attempted the localizer approach into Ukiah. While on the approach, over the Mendocino VOR (very high frequency omni-directional radio range), he noted that a layer of fog blanketed the valley, diminishing to clearer conditions to the north of town. The air ambu
Probable cause
The non-instrument rated pilot's flight intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a subsequent loss of aircraft control, and an uncontrolled descent into terrain. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of an instrument rating and a low ceiling.
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Browse: California · 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.
