Weather (Other) · NTSB CEN11FA263
PIPER PA-32R-300 — Fredricktown, MO
| Date | March 29, 2011 |
| Location | Fredricktown, MO |
| Aircraft | PIPER PA-32R-300 |
| Purpose of flight | Unknown |
| Conditions | Night |
| Phase / occurrence | Enroute-cruise Other weather encounter |
| Pilot age | 61 |
| Pilot total time | 2,900 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 3 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot - F
- Personnel issues-Miscellaneous-(general)-(general)-Pilot
What happened
The airplane was reported missing and global positioning system data showed that it descended below 1,700 feet mean sea level (msl) 11 nautical miles south-southwest of the accident site. The airplane impacted rising terrain at an elevation of about 1,353 feet msl while on a north-northeasterly heading. The airplane configuration and the wreckage path were consistent with an impact while the airplane was in cruise flight. The pilot was not instrument rated, and the airplane's descent was likely the pilot's attempt at maintaining visual conditions at night by flying below a forecast ceiling. The pilot's airman medical certificate issued in 2007 had expired. He had disqualifying heart disease that had not been reported to or evaluated by the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot's recent flight experience and the airplane's maintenance history could not be determined due to the unavailability of current logbooks. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.