Piper PA-38-112 N118AT

Summary

On 16 September 1995 at about 20:05 local time, a Piper PA-38-112 registered N118AT was involved in an accident near Danville, Indiana, 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

16 September 1995 at 20:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Danville, Indiana, United States

Coordinates

39.7595, -86.5103

Aircraft

Piper PA-38-112

Registration

N118AT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Indianapolis → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI95FA326

2 people died.

the pilot-in-command's inadequate recovery while maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported observing the airplane flying at an estimated altitude of 500 feet. Two witnesses reported hearing the engine sound increase. One witness reported hearing the engine 'restart.' The airplane descended in a 'loose spiral.' The nose came up and it turned to the right then 'sharply to the left...into a steep tight spiral.' It impacted the terrain going 'straight down.' Examination of the wreckage revealed symmetric crushing of the leading edges corresponding to an impact angle of approximately 30 degrees nose down. Evaluation of radar data revealed the airplane slowed to an airspeed of 50 knots at an altitude of 2,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). The angle of attack increased to 8.59 degrees and the airplane began a rapid descent. The airplane was at 1,500 feet MSL with a vertical velocity of approximately -9,000 feet per minute when the last radar return was received. No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction was found.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.