History of Flight
On January 4, 2009, at 1805 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-160, registration N5212W, collided with trees during a go-around at Indiana County Airport (IDI), Indiana, Pennsylvania. The pilot and one of the two passengers sustained serious injuries; the other passenger died from injuries four days after the accident. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was operated by a private individual under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The pilot stated that he had called the airport earlier to inquire about the weather. After being told the weather “wasn’t too bad,” he requested fuel and drove to the airport with the two passengers. They observed poor weather conditions on the way, leading to a discussion about flying another day. They arrived intending only to pay for fuel and leave, but one passenger asked if a go-around in the pattern was possible. Against his better judgment, the pilot agreed. The pilot stated that the weather “wasn’t too bad” after takeoff, but fog later obscured his view of the runway.
The pilot contacted line services at IDI fixed base operations via radio and repeatedly asked whether personnel could see the airplane and if it was over the runway. A line service person stated that he was in radio contact during at least five attempted approaches to runway 28. The pilot repeatedly asked if he could be seen or if the airplane was over the runway. The line service person advised the pilot to climb, declare an emergency, and contact Cleveland Center for assistance; the repeated approaches were attempted with the airport obscured in heavy fog, in twilight, and after full darkness. The pilot did not heed this advice. After at least five unsuccessful approaches, the pilot stated he could see the lights on Runway 28, which was mostly behind the airplane. He elected to make one more go-around and attempt to land. At 1805, the line service person heard a sound of impact and radio contact was lost.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He was issued a third-class medical certificate on May 16, 2008, with the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses. His flight logbook showed a total of 113 hours at the time of the accident.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a Piper PA-28-160, built in 1961 with serial number 28-248, operated in the normal category. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320-B2B, 160-horsepower engine. Maintenance records showed the last annual inspection was on June 8, 2008, at a total time of 3,568 hours. The airplane was not equipped for instrument flight.
Meteorological Information
The responding FAA inspector stated that weather reported by the IDI automatic weather observation system (AWOS) steadily deteriorated throughout the flight. Basic VFR conditions were last reported at 1255. At 1355, weather was 800 feet overcast and 10 miles visibility, temperature 4°C, dew point -1°C. Prior to estimated departure, weather was 200 feet overcast and visibility 1/4 mile, temperature and dew point both 3°C. At 1801, weather was 200 feet overcast, 1/4 mile visibility, temperature and dew point both 5°C.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage debris field was near the top of a forested area 100 feet higher than the field elevation at IDI. The airplane came to rest about 1,200 feet northwest of the threshold of runway 10. The right wing impacted a tree about 50 feet above terrain; the outer third of the wing separated on impact and fell 40 feet from the main wreckage. The right wing forward spar detached from the fuselage, and the wing had a large, ragged hole in its lower skin. The tail showed evidence of impacting several tree limbs and was torn from the fuselage forward of the vertical stabilizer. The left wing was also impacted by trees, with its outer third bent at an angle approximately perpendicular to the fuselage. The aircraft came to rest inverted, with its main fuselage, engine, forward cowling, and propeller spinner crushed. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) did not activate.
A wreckage examination by the airframe and engine manufacturer with FAA oversight found no discrepancies with the airplane, engine, or systems that would have prevented normal operation.
Test and Research
A damaged handheld GPS unit was recovered from the wreckage and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory for evaluation. The data retrieved depicted the accident flight’s route and attempts to land at IDI.
Medical and Pathological Information
According to a January 8, 2009 report from the Cambria County Coroner’s Office in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the cause of death for the passenger who died was multiple blunt force trauma.