2014 Piper PA-28R-201T accident in Corsica (N717ND)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On July 12, 2014, a Piper PA-28R-201T, registration N717ND, was destroyed in a collision with terrain in Corsica, France, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft was operating a private general aviation flight from Calvi Sainte-Catherine aerodrome to a private aerodrome in Terni, Italy. The flight was delayed due to the closure of the originally intended destination, Viterbo. The aircraft departed Calvi at approximately 12:40 local time. During the climb, the pilot contacted Bastia Flight Information Service and requested permission to climb to 5,000 feet, citing the presence of clouds. The controller suggested a climb to 4,500 feet, which the pilot accepted. The aircraft was climbing at an estimated rate of 500 feet per minute when it struck the terrain at an altitude of approximately 4,200 feet around 12:56 local time. The impact site was located on a north-south oriented ridge between Calvi and Bastia, with a peak elevation of 5,036 feet. The aircraft impacted with significant energy, wings level, on a heading of 095 degrees, and in a nose-up attitude. The impact marks were found approximately 50 meters below the ridge crest. Technical examinations of the wreckage indicated that at the time of impact, the flaps were symmetrically extended one notch, the landing gear was retracted and locked, and the engine was producing power. The autopilot PA button was found in the ON position. No mechanical failures were identified that could explain the accident. The autopsies of the occupants revealed no medical conditions that could have contributed to the accident, and the severity of the collision left no possibility of survival.