What happened
On the morning of the accident, the pilot, who had recently updated his instrument and multi-engine ratings, intended to perform a re-familiarization flight in G-BWHF, a privately operated Piper PA-3-1. The pilot was accompanied by a second pilot who possessed recent experience with the specific aircraft and local airfield. During pre-flight preparations, the right engine initially experienced rough running and backfiring before stabilizing. After taxiing to the holding point for Runway 22, witnesses noted that the engines underwent an unusual number of power and propeller checks.
The aircraft departed the airfield at 1105 hrs, climbing through a layer of thin stratus cloud. While the aircraft was initially visible and appeared to be operating normally, a witness located approximately 3.5 nm northeast of the site observed the aircraft approaching with both propellers active. As the aircraft passed over Long Mountain, it executed a left turn at a high power setting and began a descent. The aircraft subsequently disappeared behind the terrain.
A search operation was launched after the aircraft failed to return to the airfield. The wreckage was discovered in an open field on the western slope of Long Mountain. Although no one witnessed the moment of impact, a witness in a nearby wooded area reported hearing the engines immediately before the crash. The accident occurred at 1117 hrs, and the impact was not survivable, resulting in two fatalities.
Findings
- The aircraft was performing a re-familiarization flight following a long period of inactivity in that specific airframe.
- The flight path involved a descent over rising terrain near Long Mountain.