FlightFinder
Check my flight
Casualties unknown

Non-Instrument Rated Pilot Involved in Accident After Loss of Visual Reference (N5934U)

Harwich, MA, US

On January 18, 1996, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N5934U) was involved in an aviation accident near Harwich, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue flight under visual flight rules, while flying into instrument meteorological conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A non-instrument rated pilot departed on a VFR local flight, was seen flying in and out of clouds near the shoreline, and the aircraft was later found submerged one mile further east. No pre-impact failure was found.

Accident Details

A non-instrument rated pilot departed on a local flight under visual flight rules (VFR). The departure occurred about 1400 local time. The airport weather at departure was reported as a ceiling of 12,000 feet with 10 miles visibility. About 1.7 hours after departure, witnesses observed the airplane flying south towards the shoreline at approximately 700 feet above ground level. The airplane was seen entering and exiting clouds. Upon reaching the shoreline, the airplane turned east, paralleled the coast, and reentered the clouds.

Wreckage Examination

The airplane was found submerged in water, about one mile further east from the point where it was last observed entering the clouds. Examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact failure of the airframe or engine.

Weather Conditions

The departure airport had instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions until 1200, but by the time of departure at 1400, conditions had improved to a 12,000-foot ceiling and 10 miles visibility. However, about 1500, the airport weather returned to a 200-foot ceiling and 3/4 mile visibility. There was no record of the pilot obtaining a weather briefing or filing a flight plan.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Jan 1996 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Harwich, MA?

A non-instrument rated pilot departed on a VFR local flight, was seen flying in and out of clouds near the shoreline, and the aircraft was later found submerged one mile further east. No pre-impact failure was found.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Jan 1996 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N5934U, at Harwich, MA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue flight under visual flight rules, while flying into instrument meteorological conditions. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after entering IMC, which resulted in the subsequent collision with the water. A factor in this accident…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05186. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.