On September 19, 1982, a Piper PA-38 (registration N24641) operated by Edward P. Preisendorfer was involved in an aviation accident near Imlay, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to low visibility and terrain obstruction. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft disappeared behind a hill while flying through low visibility, rain, and thunderstorms with hail in a canyon area.
What happened
The pilot was navigating through a canyon environment under adverse weather conditions that significantly reduced situational awareness. Visibility was poor due to low visibility and rain, which obscured the ridges along the flight path. Additionally, clouds covered the terrain, further complicating visual references.
A witness observed the aircraft disappear behind a hill. The witness's ability to track the aircraft was limited because a storm obscured both her vision and hearing. Following the incident, the aircraft was located in a box canyon. Reports indicated that thunderstorms and hail were present in the area at the time of the event.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to low visibility and terrain obstruction.
What happened in the 19 Sept 1982 Piper PA-38 accident near Imlay, NV?
An aircraft disappeared behind a hill while flying through low visibility, rain, and thunderstorms with hail in a canyon area.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 19 Sept 1982 involved a Piper PA-38, registration N24641, operated by Edward P. Preisendorfer, at Imlay, NV.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to low visibility and terrain obstruction.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…