Piper PA-32-300 N15326

Summary

On 26 April 1998 at about 02:30 local time, a Piper PA-32-300 registered N15326 was involved in an accident near New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 April 1998 at 02:30

Classification

Accident

Location

New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

New Bedford Regional Apt. (EWB)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-300

Registration

N15326

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/Dark

NTSB number

NYC98LA102

1 person died.

The pilot's impairment due to alcohol, which resulted in an inadequate preflight examination and subsequent takeoff with a control lock installed.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness observed the airplane depart Runway 5 and climb at a steep angle. The aircraft then turned to the northwest, then to the northeast, and descended steeply to the ground. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed a control lock device, with a locked pad lock, installed on the right hand flight control column. Toxicological testing revealed 155 mg/dL (0.155%) ethanol detected in the pilot's blood, 187 mg/dL ethanol detected in the vitreous, and 205 mg/dL ethanol detected in the urine. A review of 14 CFR Part 91.17, stated, '(a) No Person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft...(4) While having a .04 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.