Piper PA28 N6461J

Summary

On 31 May 2020 at about 18:30 local time, a Piper PA28 registered N6461J was involved in an accident near Pineville, Louisiana, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 2020 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Pineville, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Pineville Municipal Airport (2LO)

Coordinates

31.3483, -92.4344

Aircraft

Piper PA28

Registration

N6461J

Category

Airplane

Year built

1968

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pineville → Pineville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20LA199

2 people died.

The airplane’s inability to gain sufficient airspeed after takeoff due to it being at or over its maximum gross weight, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane at or over its maximum gross weight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Several witnesses observed the airplane takeoff. One witness stated that the airplane seemed to struggle to clear trees at the end of the runway. The airplane made a few turns, and the wings were observed to go vertical in an “apparent stall/spin situation.” Another witness reported that the airplane was “struggling” to climb after takeoff before it descended below the trees. The airplane impacted heavily wooded terrain about 1.5 miles from the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical anomalies. The estimated weight of the airplane at the time of the accident was at or slightly above its maximum gross weight. Based on the witness accounts, no identified pre-impact mechanical anomalies, and its estimated weight, it is likely that the airplane did not have sufficient performance capability to climb after takeoff, resulting in a loss of control. Although ethanol was identified during toxicology testing of the pilot’s specimens, it was most likely from sources other than ingestion; therefore, its effects did not contribute to the accident. There was not enough available information regarding the pilot’s use of multiple psychoactive medications (as identified in toxicology testing) to determine if effects from the medications contributed to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.