Piper PA-32-300 N4105W

Summary

On 6 February 2002 at about 19:02 local time, a Piper PA-32-300 registered N4105W was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 February 2002 at 19:02

Classification

Accident

Location

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Atlanta (PDK)

Coordinates

33.8778, -84.2828

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-300

Registration

N4105W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Atlanta → Savannah

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02FA043

4 people died.

The pilot experienced spatial disorientation that resulted in the loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The recently instrument-rated pilot departed on an instrument flight in instrument meteorological conditions with low ceilings and turbulence. Radar data showed the airplane climbed to the assigned altitude but failed to maintain the assigned heading. Radar data indicated the airplane flew a path that included two wide, constant-rate, 360-degree turns to the right. Air traffic controllers twice reassigned the heading, and the pilot acknowledged the instructions each time. About eight minutes after departure, the pilot reported the airplane was in a spin, and the airplane impacted terrain seconds later in a steep, nose-down attitude less than two miles from the airport. The wreckage was found scattered along a path 200 feet long by 80 feet wide in a wooded area. Fuel was present at the site, and examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction of the engine, airframe, or recovered instruments.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.