Piper PA 32R-301 accident near Huntsville, AR

On October 21, 2013, a Piper PA 32R-301 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Huntsville, AR. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

October 21, 2013

Place

Huntsville, AR

Aircraft

Piper PA 32R-301 · Airplane

Injuries

2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

35.896°N, 93.761°W

NTSB ID

20131022X14138

Official records · CEN14FA014

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• Communication Summary - Mechanic: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Communication Summary - Lineman: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Razorback Approach Partial Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Attachment 2 - AFSS Briefing Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 21, 2013, about 1406 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301 airplane, N888TP, impacted trees and terrain during a descent from cruise near Huntsville, Arkansas. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailed for the flight, which did not operate on a VFR flight plan. The flight originated from the Thomas C Russell Field Airport (ALX), near Alexander City, Alabama, about 1045, and was destined for the Claremore Regional Airport (GCM), near Claremore, Oklahoma. Flight service station records revealed that on October 20, 2013, the pilot representing N888TP obtained a preflight outlook weather briefing for a VFR flight departing on October 21, 2013, from ALX to GCM with an estimated time en route of four hours. On October 21, 2013, the pilot representing N888TP additionally obtained a preflight pilot briefing for a VFR flight departing at 1000 with an estimated time en route of four hours. According to the fueling records, the airplane's fuel tanks were serviced with 57.74 gallons of aviation gasoline on October 18, 2013, at ALX. Following that fueling, a lineman at ALX helped load one suitcase, two hanging bags, and one set of golf clubs into a car. The pilot subsequently returned on October 21, 2013, and tried multiple times to start the engine. He was able to start the engine and the lineman indicated that the engine started

Probable cause

The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into an area of known rain with reduced visibility and his failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering the airplane after entering these conditions.

More accidents in AR

• Beech 65-A80, May 16, 2005
• Cessna 208B, Apr 28, 2001
• Piper PA-23-250, Nov 17, 2002
• Grumman G1159, Jan 19, 1990
• Piper PA-31-350, May 8, 2005

Browse: Arkansas · Piper aircraft

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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.