# Accident 20061112024309A: Piper PA32R300, Williamsburg, VA, November 12, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 12, 2006, 11:24 local time
- Place: Williamsburg, VA
- Airport: Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.2392° N, 76.7158° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2392&lon=-76.7158&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9430K, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9430K-2015-03-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32R-300 (registry code 7103213, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R300
- Reported engine: LYC IO540K1G5D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC07LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA027) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061112024309A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON TAKE OFF FROM JGG RUNWAY 31 IN IMC WITH REPORTED WINDS VARYING FROM 350 TO 360 DEGREES AT 17 KNOTS GUSTING TO 27 KNOTS, THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED AND DESCENDED AT LEAST TWICE BUT FAILED TO GAIN ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE TREES AT ABOUT 1980 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO AN OAK TREE IN-LINE WITH THE RUNWAY AT ABOUT 40 FEET AGL. THE FLAPS WERE FOUND SET TO THE FIRST NOTCH (10 DEG) AND THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED. THE PILOT AND HIS WIFE WERE CRITICALLY BURNED IN THE IMPACT EXPLOSION AND FIRE AND INJURED BY THE FALL FROM THE AIRCRAFT WHICH SETTLED IN THE TREE AT ABOUT 30-FOOT AGL. THE PASSENGER DIED OF HER INJURIES THE NEXT DAY. PROPELLER CUTS THROUGH LARGE TREE LIMBS AND EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE INDICATE NORMAL AIRCRAFT OPERATION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE UNBURNED TANK HELD 100LL FUEL. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT TOLD A WITNESS THAT THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY DURING TAKE-OFF AND THAT AFTER TAKE-OFF "THE BOTTOM JUST FELL OUT" REFERRING TO WIND GUSTS. IN AN INTERVIEW ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006, THE PILOT CONFIRMED PROPER AIRCRAFT OPERATION AND SAID HE ENCOUNTERED WIND "GUSTS OF APPROXIMATELY NEGATIVE 30 KNOTS."

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC07LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA027), Nov 12, 2006: Piper PA-32R-300 (N9430K), Williamsburg, VA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to depart into adverse weather conditions. Contributing was the gusty wind conditions.

## Other reports on N9430K (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20040906025939I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040906025939I), Sep 6, 2004: Piper PA32R300 (N9430K), Bloomington-Nor, IL. (-23) IFR at 10000 from hhg to gph with peoria, IL ATCT pilot declared an emergency due to odor in cockpit. Aircraft diverted to bmi where an uneventful…
- [Accident 19780113002939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780113002939A), Jan 13, 1978: Piper PA32R300 (N9430K), Champaign, IL, Substantial damage. Wx info obtained by tv and ATIS.truck driver aware of acft.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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