20200318004119A

On March 18, 2020, at approximately 10:44 p.m. eastern standard time (0244 universal time), a Piper PA-28R-180 arrow, N3943T, impacted the terrain in a wooded area one statute mile north northeast of Pleasant Plain, Ohio. The air transport certificated pilot was the sole occupant, and sustained fatal injuries in the crash. The aircraft was destroyed by the collision with the trees during descent and ground impact. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 code of federal regulations part 91 as a personal flight. Night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The automated weather observation at the clermont county airport (I69) was overcast skies at 600 feet AGL, 5 statute miles visibility, heavy drizzle precipitation, with winds from the southwest (220) at 8 knots. The temperature was 17 degrees celsius with a barometer pressure of 30.04 inches hg (mercury). The pilot filed an instrument flight plan. The flight was enroute from the muskogee-davis regional airport (mko), muskogee, Oklahoma to the clermont county airport (I69), and batavia, Ohio when the accident occurred.

The pilot requested the RNAV runway 22 into I69 and was cleared direct to the figpu initial approach fix (iaf). The aircraft was observed making several course deviations and the pilot was advised to maintain their assigned heading. Eight miles from the figpu iap, the pilot was instructed to descend to 3000 feet and was cleared for the RNAV ruway 22 approach. Approximately 2.5 miles west of figpu the aircraft turned westbound. The pilot was asked if the they needed assistance. The pilot responded he did not require assistance and reported an autopilot malfunction. At some point, the aircraft turned southeast and reported they were proceeding to the jeral iaf for the RNAV runway 22 approach. The controller inquired if the pilot had corrected the autopilot issue. The pilot reported he was manually flying the aircraft. N3943T was 4.5 miles from jeral when the aircraft turned southbound. The pilot was advised of the southbound heading and the pilot reported he was experiencing ?heavy turbulence? And a ?heavy downdraft?. The radar track showed the aircraft entering a rapidly descending left turn. Descending through 2200 feet, a low altitude alert was issued to the pilot with no respond and no further communications from the aircraft. Radar contact was lost as the aircraft descended through 1400 feet approximately 14 miles north of the I69 airport.

The airplane wreckage was located in a densely wooded area. The area surrounding the accident site was interspersed with agricultural fields, wooded areas, and scattered residential housing located adjacent to the main roadways. The airplane entered the wooded area on a heading of about 135º. The first point of impact was a treetop, impact marks were observed at a height of 68.7 ft. the airplane continued into the wooded area, impacted additional trees, and came to rest near a small pond within the wooded area. The engine, propeller, and main instrument panel were located about 55 ft away from the main wreckage, on a heading of 130º.

A witness who lives about a quarter of a mile from the crash site was outside when the aircraft flew over his house in a southern to southeastward direction. The witness stated the plane?s engine was sputtering or missing the whole time he was observing the plane. It appeared the aircraft was descending as it flew over him. The plane made a hard left bank turn and the engine sounded like it was ?revving up?. Thirty to thirty-five seconds later, he heard it go into the trees. He stated there was a steady light to moderate rain, calm winds and did not hear any thunder at the time.

Recorded audio from a security camera located about 4500 feet southeast of the accident site indicated the aircraft?s engine was making power until impact.

Reviewed by dws 06/04/2020