Piper PA-22 N4824A

Summary

On 31 May 2009 at about 18:35 local time, a Piper PA-22 registered N4824A was involved in an accident near Aurora, West Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 2009 at 18:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Aurora, West Virginia, United States

Coordinates

39.3414, -79.6158

Aircraft

Piper PA-22

Registration

N4824A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Suffolk → Elkins

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09CA314

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and preparation which resulted in a low fuel condition requiring an off-airport landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed from Suffolk, Virginia, at about 1105, with full fuel tanks, en route to Elkins, West Virginia (EKN). While en route at about 6,000 feet above ground level, he encountered weather over the mountains which prevented him from continuing direct to EKN under visual meteorological conditions. At that time he chose to fly north, up the valley, in hopes of finding a break in the weather. After about 40 minutes, he was unable to continue due to low fuel, and decided to land in a farm pasture. Upon landing, he discovered the grass to be much taller than anticipated. The airplane became entangled, resulting in a nose-over that substantially damaged the vertical stabilizer and wings. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.