Sat, Sep 19, 2020
A Witness Inside The Airport Office Said She Observed The Pilot Fueling The Left Fuel Tank
Location: Midland, MI Accident Number: CEN20LA373
Date & Time: 09/01/2020, 1245 EDT Registration: N5939P
Aircraft: Piper PA24 Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On September 1, 2020, at 1245 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N5939P, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Midland, Michigan. The pilot was seriously injured, and the pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured.. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (FAR) Part 91 personal flight.
According to preliminary radar data, the airplane departed Home Acres Sky Ranch Airport (Y91), Lake City, Michigan, at 1125, and arrived at Jack Barstow Airport (IKW), Midland, Michigan, at 1205. The airplane was seen to make two touch-and-go landings, then it made a full stop landing and taxied to the self-serve fuel pump. Records showed the pilot refueled the airplane with 18 gallons of 100-LL aviation-grade gasoline. A witness inside the airport office said she observed the pilot fueling the left fuel tank. She did not see him refuel the right fuel tank.
Preliminary radar data indicated the airplane took off at 1237 and climbed to an altitude of 2,550 ft. It then began a right turn back towards IKW. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported he was returning to the airport due to an engine failure. Shortly thereafter, he reported he wasn't going to make it to the airport, and was making a forced landing in as field. The last radar contact with the airplane was at 12644:34 at an indicated altitude of 675 ft. According to the Midland County Sheriff's Office, the airplane struck a large grass-covered mound of dirt before coming to a rest.
More News
Inversion to Launch Reentry Vehicle Demonstrator Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 This fall, the aerospace startup Inversion is set to launch its Ray reentry demonstrator capsule aboard Spac>[...]
"We are excited to accelerate the adoption of electric aviation technology and further our journey towards a sustainable future. The agreement with magniX underscores our commitmen>[...]
"The journey to this achievement started nearly a decade ago when a freshly commissioned Gentry, driven by a fascination with new technologies and a desire to contribute significan>[...]
Aero Linx: OX5 Aviation Pioneers Each year a national reunion of OX5 Aviation Pioneers is hosted by one of the Wings in the organization. The reunions attract much attention as man>[...]
"Our driven and innovative team of military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily, ensuring our nation is ready today and tomorrow." Source: General Duke Richardson, AFMC>[...]