On April 12, 1999, a Piper PA-16 (registration N5796H) was involved in an aviation accident near Hardeeville, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An inflight loss of control for undetermined reasons while in a descent and the subsequent collision with the terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported severe clear air turbulence and requested a lower altitude before making a garbled transmission and disappearing from radar. Wreckage was later found northeast of Savannah.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported encountering 'pretty bad' clear air turbulence at his assigned altitude and requested a lower altitude from the military approach radar controller. The controller instructed the pilot to make a turn due to conflicting traffic. During the turn, the pilot transmitted that the turbulence had become 'severe.' Shortly thereafter, he made a garbled transmission that sounded as if he was saying 'headed down' or 'going down.' The aircraft then disappeared from the radar scope.
Wreckage Discovery
Wreckage was later found having impacted the ground in a tree preserve approximately 13 miles northeast of the Savannah VOR. Investigators examined the airframe and engine but found no evidence of any precrash failure or malfunction in the airplane's engine, airframe, or their components.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 12 Apr 1999 Piper PA-16 accident near Hardeeville, SC?
A pilot reported severe clear air turbulence and requested a lower altitude before making a garbled transmission and disappearing from radar. Wreckage was later found northeast of Savannah.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 12 Apr 1999 involved a Piper PA-16, registration N5796H, at Hardeeville, SC.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
An inflight loss of control for undetermined reasons while in a descent and the subsequent collision with the terrain.
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…