Piper PA-30 accident near Merced, CA
On April 27, 2010, a Piper PA-30 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Merced, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 27, 2010
- Place
- Merced, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 37.286°N, 120.454°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100428X13242
Official records · WPR10FA217
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 27, 2010, at 1135 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N847DE, collided with a highway embankment in Merced, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot/owner sustained fatal injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the forward fuselage. The local personal flight departed Merced Regional Airport/Macready Field at 1127. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was a property appraiser, and the purpose of the flight was to overfly land east of Merced in order to perform an aerial property observation. On the morning of the accident, an employee from a local Fixed Base Operator (FBO) assisted the pilot with moving the airplane out of his hangar. The pilot asked for assistance starting the motor of the hand operated tug, because he was unable to muster the strength to pull the starter cord fast enough. The pilot then attempted to move the airplane utilizing the tug, but stated that he was experiencing problems with his hands, and again asked for assistance. According to the witness, once out of the hangar, the pilot appeared pale and listless, and lost his footing as he got into the airplane. On three occasions, he called the FBO employee by the wrong name, even though he had known him for many years. Video of the airplane's departure, captured by Merced Airport security cameras, revealed that it entered runway 30 at the threshold, and immediately began the takeoff roll. The airplane
Probable cause
Pilot incapacitation due to the combined effect of multiple unreported medical conditions.
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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.
