Controlled Flight Into Terrain · NTSB CEN19FA084
Piper PA32R — Goshen, IN
| Date | February 22, 2019 |
| Location | Goshen, IN |
| Aircraft | Piper PA32R |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Night · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Approach Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 55 |
| Pilot total time | 1,500 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 600 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-(general)-(general)-Pilot
- Personnel issues-Task performance-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Response/compensation
What happened
The pilot was conducting a practice circling approach in dark night visual meteorological conditions. The published elevation at the destination airport was 827 ft mean sea level (msl), and the published minimum altitude for the circling approach, 1.9 miles from the airport, was 1,460 ft msl. According to radar data, the airplane took off, climbed west, and then turned back to the east. The airplane then started a turn to the north about 1.2 miles east of the airport. Radar recorded the airplane at an altitude of about 1,125 ft msl before radar contact was lost. An airport security video showed the airplane flying toward the airport at what appeared to be a level attitude, followed by a flash of light; the airplane then disappeared from view. The airplane impacted 250-ft-high power lines about 1.37 miles east of the airport; the elevation at the accident site was about 867 ft msl, and the approximate altitude of the collision with the power lines was 1,117 ft msl. The video also recorded what appeared to be a ground explosion and fire, and the airplane wreckage was located adjacent to damaged power lines. There were no radio distress calls received from the pilot.
Evidence of collision with the power lines was observed on the airframe and propeller. Most of the fuselage and cockpit were consumed by a postimpact fire. Flight control continuity was confirmed to the extent possible due to fire damage and melting. No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine were found. Engine drivetrain continuity was confirmed, and the propeller showed evidence of rotation at the time of impact. Postaccident inspection of the airport lighting revealed functionality of all systems, and the airport manager reported that the lighting was turned on at the time of the accident.
During the practice circling approach, the pilot failed to maintain adequate altitude to clear the power lines. Given the available evidence, it could not be determined why the pilot was flying at an altitude insufficient to clear the wire tower.