Airplane crash near Warrenton Lane following takeoff

Casualties unknown • Vicksburg, MS, US

An aircraft crashed in a heavily wooded area approximately 1.1 miles from the departure end of runway 01 shortly after takeoff.

What happened

At 22:15, the pilot and three passengers boarded the unspecified aircraft at the airport. A witness observed the airplane taking off and waved to the crew. Shortly after the departure, the witness received a telephone call reporting that an airplane had gone down near Warrenton Lane. This report was reportedly not communicated to local emergency services.

The following morning, after friends of the occupants began inquiring about their whereabouts, airport personnel contacted local police. The wreckage was located in a heavily wooded area, approximately 1.1 miles from the departure end of runway 01. The crash resulted in 4 fatalities.

The investigation

An examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane struck a tree with its left wing. This impact caused the aircraft to hit the ground in a 55-degree nose-down attitude. Following the impact, the aircraft came to rest upright on a heading of 090 degrees. Investigators found no mechanical problems during the examination of the wreckage.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-05-08 Piper PA-24-180 accident near Vicksburg, MS?

An aircraft crashed in a heavily wooded area approximately 1.1 miles from the departure end of runway 01 shortly after takeoff.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-05-08 involved a Piper PA-24-180, registration N5900P, at Vicksburg, MS.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to obtain and maintain flying speed that resulted in an inadvertent stall, and the collision with trees. A factor is the dark night.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18683. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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