Piper PA-28-161 N47558

Summary

On 29 August 1996 at about 05:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-161 registered N47558 was involved in an accident near Pittsburg, Kansas, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 August 1996 at 05:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Pittsburg, Kansas, United States

Coordinates

37.4110, -94.6896

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-161

Registration

N47558

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

CHI96LA319

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot diverted his attention and failed to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, and the pilot performing low altitude flight at night.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passengers reported they had taken off at night with the intent to fly over the city and look at city lights. After doing so, the pilot circled his parent's home three times. He thought he saw the porch light go on so, he decided to circle one more time. The pilot reported that during the turn, the airplane apparently was descending, because once he completed the turn and was heading east, the airplane flew into the low side of a terrace. The airplane then became airborne, and the pilot added power in an attempt to climb. However, the airplane 'quit flying' came to rest in an open field. One of the passengers reported the airplane was less than 150 feet above the ground, when they were circling the residence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.