Piper PA32R N4922K

Summary

On 22 February 2019 at about 01:04 local time, a Piper PA32R registered N4922K was involved in an accident near Goshen, Indiana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 February 2019 at 01:04

Classification

Accident

Location

Goshen, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Goshen Minicipal Airport (GSH)

Coordinates

41.5278, -85.7572

Aircraft

Piper PA32R

Registration

N4922K

Category

Airplane

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Goshen → Goshen

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

CEN19FA084

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude for undetermined reasons during a practice circling approach in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a practice circling approach in dark night visual meteorological conditions. The published elevation at the destination airport was 827 ft mean sea level (msl), and the published minimum altitude for the circling approach, 1.9 miles from the airport, was 1,460 ft msl. According to radar data, the airplane took off, climbed west, and then turned back to the east. The airplane then started a turn to the north about 1.2 miles east of the airport. Radar recorded the airplane at an altitude of about 1,125 ft msl before radar contact was lost. An airport security video showed the airplane flying toward the airport at what appeared to be a level attitude, followed by a flash of light; the airplane then disappeared from view. The airplane impacted 250-ft-high power lines about 1.37 miles east of the airport; the elevation at the accident site was about 867 ft msl, and the approximate altitude of the collision with the power lines was 1,117 ft msl. The video also recorded what appeared to be a ground explosion and fire, and the airplane wreckage was located adjacent to damaged power lines. There were no radio distress calls received from the pilot.  Evidence of collision with the power lines was observed on the airframe and propeller. Most of the fuselage and cockpit were consumed by a postimpact fire. Flight control continuity was confirmed to the extent possible due to fire damage and melting. No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine were found. Engine drivetrain continuity was confirmed, and the propeller showed evidence of rotation at the time of impact. Postaccident inspection of the airport lighting revealed functionality of all systems, and the airport manager reported that the lighting was turned on at the time of the accident. During the practice circling approach, the pilot failed to maintain adequate altitude to clear the power lines. Given the available evidence, it could not be determined why the pilot was flying at an altitude insufficient to clear the wire tower.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.