Piper PA-28R-200 accident near West Lafayette, IN
On March 26, 2005, a Piper PA-28R-200 (airplane) was involved in an accident near West Lafayette, IN. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 26, 2005
- Place
- West Lafayette, IN
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.437°N, 86.934°W
- NTSB ID
- 20050328X00371
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 26, 2005, about 0545 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N999SK, owned by Lafayette Aviation, piloted by a non-instrument rated private pilot, was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain during initial climbout from runway 10 at the Purdue University Airport (LAF), near West Lafayette, Indiana. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The local flight originated from LAF about 0540. The Purdue University Police Department interviewed witnesses. The police department report of their interview stated: [Witnesses] advised they first saw [the pilot], [the passenger], and [the pilot's aunt] at the Linwood Tavern in the early morning hours today (3-26-05). [One of the witnesses] advised she spoke with [the pilot] at the tavern and [the pilot] advised her that he just finished working at the Spectator's bar where he was "getting a little tipsy". They advised as they were preparing to leave the tavern at approximately 0336 hours [the pilot] advised "Let's go to the Triple X." Upon arriving at the Triple X Restaurant, they met with [the pilot's aunt], [the passenger], and [the pilot] outside waiting in line to get inside. [The witnesses] recalled [the pilot] stating "While I' m here at Purdue I m gonna fly my plane." This was followed by [the pilot] displaying his pilot' s license as well as a set of keys advising "I' ve got my license and I' ve got the keys". A witness stated: I arri
Probable cause
The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument conditions and his not maintaining control of the complex airplane during initial climb. Factors in the accident were the low ceiling, the early dawn condition, and the pilots intentional unauthorized use of the airplane.
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Browse: Indiana · 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.
