Piper PA-32-260 N5526J

Summary

On 1 August 1999 at about 17:59 local time, a Piper PA-32-260 registered N5526J was involved in an accident near North Lima, Ohio, United States. 5 people were on board and 4 died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 August 1999 at 17:59

Classification

Accident

Location

North Lima, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Youngstown Elser Metro (4G4)

Coordinates

40.9500, -80.6495

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-260

Registration

N5526J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Pottstown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99FA187

4 people died.

The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during a turn. Factors include the pilot's failure maintain sufficient airspeed, and his failure to maintain the airplane in proper trim.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After landing, the airplane's main fuel tanks were filled, and the five people got back onboard. The tail was almost touching the ground, and the airplane was sitting nose high. After takeoff, the airplane appeared to have a hard time climbing out, and was 'hanging on the prop.' The airplane turned toward a left downwind. It was initially nose high, then started to slowly lose altitude. Altitude loss quickened, the airplane's nose fell through, and the airplane maintained a sliding, left turn until it impacted the ground about 1/2 mile southwest of the airport. The engine was heard 'roaring' prior to impact, chordwise scratches were found on the propeller blades, and rotational marks were found on the starter housing. The estimated weight of the airplane was approximately 10 pounds under maximum gross weight, while center of gravity computations, using several different baggage loading scenarios, ranged from 1.1 inches, to 0.3 inches, forward of the aft center of gravity limit. Temperature at the time of the accident was 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and the density altitude was about 2,600 feet msl.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.