On September 23, 1992, a Piper PA-28-151 (registration N43313) operated by Benson, Paul D. was involved in an aviation accident near Samantha, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION, HIS LACK OF EXPEREINCE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENCOUNTER WITH INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING AN ATTEMPTED VISUAL FLIGHT, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A recently certificated private pilot, who filed a VFR flight plan shortly after midnight, reported being lost while in clouds. Radar showed erratic flight path before the airplane impacted in a steep nose-down attitude.
Accident Overview
A pilot operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) departed shortly after midnight after obtaining a weather briefing and filing a VFR flight plan. Forecast conditions included cloud layers along the intended route. During the flight, the pilot contacted air traffic control and stated he was lost, with his communications indicating he was in clouds.
Flight Path and Impact
Radar data showed the airplane's flight path became erratic in both heading and altitude. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground in a steep flight path with a nose-down attitude.
Pilot Background
The pilot held a private pilot certificate issued approximately three months before the accident. Logbook entries showed he had been receiving instrument flight instruction and had accumulated a total of 7 simulated instrument flight hours.
What happened in the 23 Sept 1992 Piper PA-28-151 accident near Samantha, AL?
A recently certificated private pilot, who filed a VFR flight plan shortly after midnight, reported being lost while in clouds. Radar showed erratic flight path before the airplane impacted in a steep nose-down attitude.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 23 Sept 1992 involved a Piper PA-28-151, registration N43313, operated by Benson, Paul D., at Samantha, AL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION, HIS LACK OF EXPEREINCE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENCOUNTER WITH INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING AN ATTEMPTED VISUAL FLIGHT, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS, CLOUDS, AND THE PILOT'S GEOGRAPHICAL DISORIENTATION.
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…