Sukhoi SU-31 N131BW

Summary

On 23 August 2007 at about 17:30 local time, a Sukhoi SU-31 registered N131BW was involved in an accident near Markham, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and 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

23 August 2007 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Markham, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

38.9769, -77.9531

Aircraft

Sukhoi SU-31

Registration

N131BW

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Warrenton → Toughkenamon

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC07LA201

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident were a fuel leak as reported by the pilot, the pilot's diverted attention, a low cloud ceiling, and fog.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-instrument-rated pilot reported that he obtained a weather briefing via computer, and departed on a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight. The pilot further stated that approximately 30 minutes after departure, he became disoriented as to his location and altitude, while looking for the source of a fuel leak and searching for a suitable landing area. Witnesses near the accident site reported low ceilings and heavy fog. In addition, weather recorded near the accident site, about the time of the accident, included an overcast ceiling at 1,200 feet and 7 miles visibility. The wreckage was consumed by fire, and a wreckage examination could not be performed, nor a fuel leak identified.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.