On September 6, 2007, about 2032 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6493W, was destroyed when it impacted trees about 4 nautical miles west of Syria, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and the two passengers were fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed during the flight which departed Hartsville Regional Airport (HVS), Hartsville, South Carolina, destined for Winchester Regional Airport (OKV), Winchester, Virginia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to preliminary data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), on the day of the accident, the airplane departed Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK), Brunswick, Georgia, at 1500, and then proceeded to Sumter Airport (SMS), Sumter, South Carolina, before continuing to HVS. After departing HVS, the airplane climbed to 5,500 feet above mean sea level (msl), and proceeded to the vicinity of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where the pilot "air-filed" a visual flight rules flight plan to OKV.

The flight continued uneventfully until shortly after the pilot contacted Potomac Approach and the airplane began to descend to 3,500 feet msl. The airplane then turned off the established course to the east, and when queried by the approach controller, the pilot responded that he was turning to a 107-degree heading, but now turning back on course. No further transmissions were received, and moments later at 2032, radar contact was lost.

The accident occurred during the hours of night. After a search by multiple local, state, and federal agencies, the wreckage was discovered on September 7, 2007, on the northeast side of Fork Mountain, at 38 degrees, 28.217 minutes north latitude, 78 degrees, 23.916 minutes west longitude.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane had come to rest inverted, perpendicular to the face of the mountain, which sloped downward at approximately 45 degrees. The elevation of the accident site was 2,848 feet. The wreckage path was about 30 feet long, and the main wreckage was oriented on a magnetic heading of 300 degrees. A tree located at the beginning of the wreckage path exhibited impact damage, and was broken off approximately 30 feet above ground level. Broken limbs and branches existed throughout the accident site. Further examination of some of the limbs and branches revealed multiple breaks and cuts consistent with propeller strikes.

The wreckage displayed varying degrees of damage; however, examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunction of either the engine, airframe, or flight controls. Multiple breaks in the fuselage structure existed, and the aft fuselage was partially severed from the main cabin. The left side of the stabilator had been shredded, was separated from the airplane, and portions of its structure were discovered at the beginning of the wreckage path. The right side of the stabilator remained intact. The left wing was stripped of the majority of its structure and the right wing had separated at its attachment fittings. The wing flap actuating mechanism was in the flaps up position, and the pitch trim was approximately neutral. Control continuity was established from the stabilator control mechanism, rudder panel, and ailerons to the cockpit.

The engine was discovered approximately 20 feet down slope of and to the right of the main wreckage. Examination of the engine revealed that it exhibited impact damage to the front of the case, and the oil sump was sheared off. The propeller flange was bent back against the engine case, and the front of the case was cracked. All four cylinders remained in place, and residual oil was present. All spark plugs were removed, and their electrodes were intact and light gray in color. Both magnetos displayed impact damage, but rotated freely and produced spark from three of the eight towers. The propeller was separated from the propeller flange, and had come to rest approximately 10 feet forward of the main wreckage. Both propeller blades exhibited leading edge gouging, polishing, chordwise scratching, twisting, and S-bending.

According to FAA and sales records, the airplane was manufactured in 1964. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on March 4, 2007. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 3,730 total hours of operation.

According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on August 13, 2007. He reported 140 total hours of flight experience on that date.

The reported weather at Orange County Airport (OMH), Orange, Virginia, approximately 22 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, at 2040, included: wind, 140 at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 81 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.20 inches of mercury.

NTSB Identification: NYC07FA217
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, September 06, 2007 in Syria, VA
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-140, registration: N6493W
Injuries: 3 Fatal.

 
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.