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Casualties unknown

Pilot Reports Cloud Break, Aircraft Descends and Impacts Terrain at Night (N31554)

Bastian, VA, US

On November 27, 2002, a Piper PA-32RT-300 (registration N31554) was involved in an aviation accident near Bastian, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude above terrain. Factors in the accident were the dark night conditions and the low cloud ceiling. 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

While on a night cross-country flight, a pilot canceled his IFR plan after seeing a break in clouds. Radar showed a descending left turn before loss of contact; the airplane struck trees and rising terrain at night.

Circumstances

The pilot was conducting a night cross-country flight. About 9 miles south of his destination, he reported a break in the layer of clouds below him and canceled his instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. Radar data indicated that the airplane subsequently made a 360-degree descending left turn from 5,800 feet to 4,700 feet, after which radar contact was lost. The airplane then impacted trees and rising terrain at an elevation of 3,896 feet at night.

Weather

Weather conditions at the destination airport, which has an elevation of 2,857 feet, included a broken cloud layer at 1,900 feet. No other weather information was provided.

Examination

Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Nov 2002 Piper PA-32RT-300 accident near Bastian, VA?

While on a night cross-country flight, a pilot canceled his IFR plan after seeing a break in clouds. Radar showed a descending left turn before loss of contact; the airplane struck trees and rising terrain at night.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Nov 2002 involved a Piper PA-32RT-300, registration N31554, at Bastian, VA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude above terrain. Factors in the accident were the dark night conditions and the low cloud ceiling.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021210X05581. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.