At about 18:28 eastern time, a Piper PA-28R-180 struck wires and crashed while making an ILS approach to Pitt/Greenville Airport. The pilot and passenger were killed. The flight departed Tifton, Ga., en route to Greenville, VFR and without a flight plan. The pilot requested an IFR clearance about 30 miles southwest of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and was cleared to descend from 5,500 feet to 3,000 feet. ATC observed the aircraft descend below its assigned altitude twice. The flight was cleared for the approach. The minimum descent altitude was 1,600. The airplane struck power lines about 35 feet agl (65 feet msl) about 11 miles from the airport.
Jan. 14, Greenville, N.C. / Piper Arrow
At about 18:28 eastern time, a Piper PA-28R-180 struck wires and crashed while making an ILS approach to Pitt/Greenville Airport. The pilot and passenger were killed. The flight departed Tifton, Ga., en route to Greenville, VFR and without a flight plan. The pilot requested an IFR clearance about 30 miles southwest of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and was cleared to descend from 5,500 feet to 3,000 feet. ATC observed the aircraft descend below its assigned altitude twice. The flight was cleared for the approach. The minimum descent altitude was 1,600. The airplane struck power lines about 35 feet agl (65 feet msl) about 11 miles from the airport....
Key Takeaways:
- A Piper PA-28R-180 crashed, killing the pilot and passenger, while on an ILS approach to Pitt/Greenville Airport.
- The aircraft struck power lines 35 feet AGL (65 feet MSL) approximately 11 miles from the airport, well below the 1,600-foot minimum descent altitude.
- ATC had observed the pilot descend below their assigned altitude twice prior to the crash, which occurred after the initially VFR flight requested an IFR clearance.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
