Piper PA-32R-301 N8398Z

Summary

On 8 September 2001 at about 20:54 local time, a Piper PA-32R-301 registered N8398Z, operated by Mark D. Valentino, was involved in an accident near Byhalia, Mississippi, 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

8 September 2001 at 20:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Byhalia, Mississippi, United States

Nearest airport

Panola County Airport (0M6)

Coordinates

34.7836, -89.7586

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-301

Registration

N8398Z

Category

Airplane

Operator

Mark D. Valentino

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Batesville → Romeoville

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL01FA105

2 people died.

The pilot's improper evaluation of weather conditions which lead to an inflight encounter with turbulent weather resulting in an in flight break up of the airframe, and subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain. A factor was the pilot's drug impairment.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The Piper PA-32R-301, experienced an in-flight break-up while maneuvering near a thunderstorm in Byhalia, Mississippi. Examination of radar data revealed that between 15:42:02 and 15:53:01 the airplane made about seven altitude, airspeed and heading changes. The most significant excursion occurred between 15:52:43 and 15:53:01. Within this 18 second time frame, the airplane descended from 7,700 feet AGL to 3,900 feet AGL and slowed to 41 knots airspeed. According to witnesses, when they observed the airplane it was in level flight below the clouds. They said that as they observed the airplane they saw the left wing separate and strike the tail section. The airplane's main fuselage came to rest less then a half mile from their location in a bean field with debris falling and nearly striking the witnesses. The witnesses stated that there was lightning to the north and that the weather at their location was windy but there was no rain or thunderstorms in their area at the time of the accident. A toxicology examination of the pilot and passenger found Benzoylecgonine and Cocaine in their Liver and kidney's.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.