Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Wheeling, WV
On July 19, 2004, a Piper PA-32R-301T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wheeling, WV. 5 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 19, 2004
- Place
- Wheeling, WV
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 5 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.174°N, 80.659°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040729X01101
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 18, 2004, about 2308 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N7710M, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while on approach to the Wheeling Ohio County Airport (HLG), Wheeling, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot, pilot-rated passenger, and three other passengers were fatally injured. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from the Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI), Bloomington, Illinois. The business flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot had requested the pilot-rated passenger to be a safety pilot for the flight. The airplane departed BMI about 2030, and proceeded uneventfully to the Wheeling, West Virginia area. Review of air traffic control data from the Pittsburgh Terminal Radar Approach Control facility revealed that a pilot from the accident airplane "checked in" at 2253. The approach controller instructed the flight to descend and maintain 4,000 feet, and to expect the ILS approach to runway 3 at HLG. At 2302:52, the approach controller advised the flight, "6 miles from the marker, turn heading 050, maintain 3,000 until established, cleared ILS 3 approach at Ohio Wheeling Airport." The flight replied, "cleared for the approach." At 2303 the approach controller instructed the flight that radar services were terminated, and to contact the advisory frequency. The flight acknowledged the instruction. No further transmissions were received from
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while executing an instrument approach. A factor was the night instrument meteorological conditions.
More accidents in WV
- Bell UH-1B, Jun 22, 2022
- Piper PA-34-200T, Jan 30, 2009
- Piper PA-32-R-300, Sep 26, 1982
- Piper PA-32RT-300T, Feb 9, 1984
- Aero Commander 560-F, Oct 14, 2007
Browse: West Virginia · 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.
