Piper PA-28 N9268W

Summary

On 14 June 1997 at about 04:30 local time, a Piper PA-28 registered N9268W, operated by Wendell L. MAY, was involved in an accident near Morgantown, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 June 1997 at 04:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Morgantown, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Morgantown (PA)

Coordinates

40.1505, -75.9006

Aircraft

Piper PA-28

Registration

N9268W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Wendell L. MAY

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ft Belvor → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

IAD97LA089

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper decision to attempt a landing on and his failure to align with an unlighted runway at night. Factors were the lack of runway lighting and the night light condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he keyed his mike several times in an attempt to activate the runway lighting. However, his attempts were unsuccessful. The pilot stated that he believed that he had the runway in sight, even without the lights, and continued with his approach and landing. At touchdown the pilot said he felt a jolt and the airplane came to an immediate stop 15 feet south of the runway. All three landing gear collapsed and both wings were substantially damaged

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.