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Night VFR Accident: Pilot Without Instrument Rating Collides with Trees Near Airport (N96HA)

Walthourville, GA, US

On October 3, 2007, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N96HA) operated by OM P. Rehil was involved in an aviation accident near Walthourville, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to obtain an updated weather briefing and his lack of an instrument rating, which prevented him from using flight instruments to orient and land the aircraft in deteriorating weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A non-instrument rated pilot, flying at night in marginal VFR conditions, failed to obtain an updated weather briefing. The aircraft collided with trees about a mile from the airport after the pilot initiated a descending turn.

Flight Details and Weather Briefing The pilot, who did not hold an instrument rating, landed at an intermediate airport before departing for his destination in night marginal VFR conditions. Prior to departure, a passenger informed a contact at the destination that they were aware of the weather and expected to arrive in about two hours. The pilot received an initial weather briefing for the first leg of the flight. The briefer advised the pilot to obtain an updated briefing due to changing weather conditions for both planned legs. No record exists that the pilot obtained an updated weather briefing.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to obtain an updated weather briefing and his lack of an instrument rating, which prevented him from using flight instruments to orient and land the aircraft in deteriorating weather conditions.
Loss of control in flightSpatial disorientation

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-28 Cherokee accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Oct 2007 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Walthourville, GA?

A non-instrument rated pilot, flying at night in marginal VFR conditions, failed to obtain an updated weather briefing. The aircraft collided with trees about a mile from the airport after the pilot initiated a descending turn.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Oct 2007 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N96HA, operated by OM P. Rehil, at Walthourville, GA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to obtain an updated weather briefing and his lack of an instrument rating, which prevented him from using flight instruments to orient and land the aircraft in deteriorating weather conditions.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20071009X01532. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.