Piper PA-24-260 accident near Tiffin, OH
On September 18, 2005, a Piper PA-24-260 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Tiffin, OH. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 18, 2005
- Place
- Tiffin, OH
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-260 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.090°N, 83.207°W
- NTSB ID
- 20051004X01568
NTSB summary
On September 18, 2005, at 1045 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260, N9311P, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after departure from runway 24, at Seneca County Airport (16G), Tiffin, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the airport manager said that the pilot arrived at the airport around 0930, and carried on a conversation with her in the office for about an hour. The pilot appeared to be in good health and in a relaxed mood. During that hour, he did not use the telephone or the computer to check the weather, or to call for a weather briefing. The pilot eventually stated that he was "going to wash the windshield of his airplane," then left the office, and drove over to his hangar. The airport manager left the office right after the pilot, and drove a short distance to her home. She did not see or hear the airplane depart. When she arrived at her home, she was notified of the accident by telephone. The airport employee, who took over the duties in the office for the manager, heard the airplane, but could not see it depart. He said, "I just heard him take off. I was surprised that anyone would take off in those weather conditions." The witness continued to listened to the airplane during the takeoff roll, and walked outside about 30 seconds later. At that time, he could not hear the airplane. After another 30 seconds, he again heard the airplane, "and it sounded like he w
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to takeoff in weather below the published takeoff minimums, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the airplane's collision with trees and terrain. Factors in the accident were the instrument meteorological conditions, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
