FlarePath

What happened

NTSB summary, verbatim

During a night visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight, the pilot encountered a rain shower that reduced the cloud ceiling and visibility, so he then attempted to return to the departure airport. While maneuvering, the airplane descended and impacted terrain. A witness estimated that the airplane's altitude was less than 500 feet. He saw the airplane make a sharp left turn and then fly out of his view and then he heard the sound of a crash. Physical evidence observed at the accident site was consistent with controlled flight into terrain. No evidence was found of any preimpact mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Damage to the propeller blades was consistent with the engine developing power at impact. It is likely that the pilot attempted to maintain VFR flight by descending to remain below the clouds and was unable to see and avoid the terrain due to dark night conditions.

Photographs

7the aircraft, and what the investigators found

Wreckage and site documentation · 7 photographs from the docket

Photographs are NTSB docket attachments — works of the US government, in the public domain. Captions are the Board’s own.

Probable cause

the Board's determination

The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night conditions.

Occurrence sequence

1 stepsNTSB coding · CICTT taxonomy

1 · Maneuvering
Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
defining event

Findings

3 causal · 0 contributing

CAUSE
Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude — Not attained/maintained
CAUSE
Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance — Pilot
CAUSE
Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark — Effect on operation

NTSB analysis

from the final report

During a night visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight, the pilot encountered a rain shower that reduced the cloud ceiling and visibility, so he then attempted to return to the departure airport. While maneuvering, the airplane descended and impacted terrain. A witness estimated that the airplane's altitude was less than 500 feet. He saw the airplane make a sharp left turn and then fly out of his view and then he heard the sound of a crash. Physical evidence observed at the accident site was consistent with controlled flight into terrain. No evidence was found of any preimpact mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Damage to the propeller blades was consistent with the engine developing power at impact. It is likely that the pilot attempted to maintain VFR flight by descending to remain below the clouds and was unable to see and avoid the terrain due to dark night conditions.

PIPER PA32 - 300STAR MARIANAS AIR INC