Piper PA-32R-300 N4945F

Summary

On 14 November 1989 at about 10:55 local time, a Piper PA-32R-300 registered N4945F was involved in an accident near Morrisville, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 November 1989 at 10:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Morrisville, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Raleigh-Durham (RDU)

Coordinates

35.8298, -78.8299

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-300

Registration

N4945F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Charlotte → Raliegh

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

ATL90LA027

1 person had minor injuries.

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. THE DARK NIGHT AND INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE FLIGHT HAD INTERCEPTED THE GLIDE SLOPE, WITH THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS EXTENDED, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN 85 KNOT EMERGENCY GLIDE ON THE LOCALIZER COURSE. ATTEMPTS TO START THE ENGINE FAILED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES, FELL TO THE GROUND AND BURNED. THE PILOT MANAGED TO ESCAPE THE BURNING AIRPLANE WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT MOVING THE FUEL MIXTURE LEVER TO THE RICH POSITION. NORMAL AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES INSTRUCT THE PILOT TO RETURN THE MIXTURE LEVER TO THE RICH POSITION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.