Piper PA-28-181 N38481

Summary

On 17 April 1993 at about 03:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 registered N38481 was involved in an accident near Elbert, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 April 1993 at 03:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Elbert, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

39.2193, -104.5303

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-181

Registration

N38481

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grand Island → Co Springs

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

DEN93FA043

2 people died.

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. FACTORS WERE HIS LACK OF INSTRUMENT TRAINING/EXPERIENCE, EXISTING WEATHER, AND DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS, THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INADVERTENTLY ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND ON A HEADING OPPOSITE THE INTENDED DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. ALTHOUGH VMC PREVAILED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT 28 MILES SOUTH OF THE SITE, LOCAL RESIDENTS REPORTED REDUCED VISIBILITY WITH RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS IN THE VICINITY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.