Piper PA-38-112 N2316P

Summary

On 17 November 2008 at about 22:03 local time, a Piper PA-38-112 registered N2316P was involved in an accident near Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 November 2008 at 22:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States

Nearest airport

North Central State (SFZ)

Coordinates

41.9056, -71.4856

Aircraft

Piper PA-38-112

Registration

N2316P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Providence → Smithfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

ERA09FA060

2 people died.

The pilot's improper descent below the published minimum descent altitude during the approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane approached the airport in night visual meteorological conditions, with an instrument-rated private pilot and a private-pilot-rated passenger. The pilot received clearance for a practice very-high-omnidirectional-range/global-positioning-system approach. At 1,900 feet mean sea level (msl) and prior to the final approach fix (FAF), the pilot was cleared for the practice approach and a frequency change was approved. There was no further communication with the accident flight. Radar data showed the accident flight on a ground track associated with the approach and in a steady descent from the FAF to 500 feet msl, or 80 feet above ground level (agl) and near the first tree strike. The accident occurred approximately 2/3 mile from the threshold of runway 33. The airplane was on the correct ground track for the approach when it initially struck trees approximately 80 feet agl. The minimum descent altitude for the approach was 980 feet msl, or 539 feet agl. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical discrepancies were found with the airframe or engine that would have prevented a successful completion of the approach. Recorded weather conditions at the airport near the time of the accident included a broken cloud layer at 8,000 feet, surface visibility 10 statute miles, and a surface wind from the northwest at 6 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.