Piper PA-28-180 accident near Hillsdale, MI
On November 21, 2012, a Piper PA-28-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Hillsdale, MI. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 21, 2012
- Place
- Hillsdale, MI
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.917°N, 84.559°W
- NTSB ID
- 20121121X13305
Official records · CEN13FA067
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn November 21, 2012, approximately 1820 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N40781, registered to the pilot, impacted trees and terrain while on a VFR straight-in approach to the Hillsdale Municipal Airport (JYM), Hillsdale, Michigan. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Night visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed in the vicinity and a flight plan was not filed for the cross country flight being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated about 1700 from the Lebanon-Warren County Airport, Lebanon, Ohio. According to a family member, the pilot planned the cross country flight to fly from Hillsdale and then have lunch at a restaurant located near the Lebanon-Warren County Airport. After lunch, the family member assisted the pilot in his preflight prior to departing for return to Hillsdale. The family member stated that the takeoff and departure was normal. He also stated that the pilot's wife had been concerned that the pilot return before darkness because she knew that the pilot did not like to fly or drive at night. It was close to sunset when the pilot departed from Lebanon-Warren County Airport. Minutes prior to the accident, about 18 miles from the airport, the pilot contacted Hillsdale on UNICOM frequency and requested that the lights for runway 28 be turned on. The airport manager who was monitoring the UNICOM turned on the lights. He reported that the pilot sounded normal and estimated the weather conditions
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a straight-in night visual flight rules approach to land in hazy weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of recent night flying experience, the nonfunctional precision approach path indicator system on the selected runway, and the inaccurate Kollsman setting in the altimeter.
More accidents in MI
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Browse: Michigan · 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.
