Piper PA-30 accident near Raneille, WV
On November 23, 2009, a Piper PA-30 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Raneille, WV. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 23, 2009
- Place
- Raneille, WV
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.058°N, 80.802°W
- NTSB ID
- 20091201X72559
Official records · ERA10FA088
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 23, 2009, at 0234 eastern standard time (EST), a Piper PA-30, N8923Y, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees while descending in mountainous terrain in the vicinity of Rainelle, West Virginia. Night marginal visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity of the accident site, and no flight plan was filed. The certificated commercial pilot was killed. The flight departed, Kennett Memorial Airport (TKX), Kennett, Missouri, for Stafford Regional Airport (RMN), Stafford, Virginia, at 1727 Central Standard Time (CST). The airplane did not arrive at its destination and was reported as missing to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center on November 28, 2009. The airplane wreckage was located by the West Virginia Civil Air Patrol on December 1, 2009. Review of Fort Worth Center radar data confirmed that the airplane initially departed Dalhart Municipal Airport (DHT), Dalhart, Texas DHT at 1727 CST. Radar data obtained from Memphis Center revealed the airplane landed at TKX at 2118 CST. After departing TKX, the airplane was observed on radar at 4,800 feet, northeast of the airport at 2248 CST. The airplane was last observed by Indianapolis Center in the vicinity of the accident site. Radar data also indicated that during the last 3 minutes of contact, the airplane flew a serpentine course, and that it climbed from 3,300 feet to 3,900 feet, before it descended to 3,300 feet and contact was lost. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The
Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to attempt visual flight into deteriorating night weather conditions, and his subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
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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.
