# Accident 20211013017049A: Piper PA-24-260, Blairsville, GA, October 13, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 13, 2021, 08:19 local time
- Place: Blairsville, GA
- Airport: Blairsville
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.8811° N, 83.9940° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8811&lon=-83.9940&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9126P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9126P-2023-05-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-24-260 (registry code 7102406, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Reported engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,270 total, 1,270 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA22FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA014) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211013017049A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT N9126P, PIPER PA-24-260 SER# 24-4605 TRAVELING FROM BLAIRSVILLE, GA (DZJ) TO SEBRING, FL (SEF) CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, NORTH OF DZJ ON THE SHORE OF LAKE NOTTELY, ONE PILOT ONBOARD, NO SURVIVORS.  AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ON RWY 8 TURNING LEFT (NORTH) WAS LAST REPORTED TRACKING 328 DEGREES @ 2340 FEET, 114 KTS @ 0816 APPROX. ½ MILE FROM THE IMPACT SITE.  AIRCRAFT HAD A VALID REGISTRATION AND AIRWORTHY CERTIFICATE. PIC RATINGS INCLUDED AIRPLANE SEL WITH INSTRUMENTS RATINGS AND WAS CURRENT WITH A BASIS MEDICAL.  WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 200 FT. OVC, ¼ MILE VISIBILITY.  AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FUELED THE NIGHT BEFORE WITH 28.92 GALLONS.

## 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 ERA22FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA014), Oct 13, 2021: Piper PA-24-260 (N9126P), Blairsville, GA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to commence the flight in low IFR weather conditions, and making immediate turns after takeoff in IMC, resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.

## Other reports on N9126P (2)

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

- [Accident 20080305857839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080305857839A), Mar 5, 2008: Piper PA24260 (N9126P), West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was cleared to land on 27L. Pilot realized he was about to land on 31 and attempted to pull up but hit runway with propeller and came to rest on 31 after…
- [Incident 19850519035909I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519035909I), May 19, 1985: Piper PA24260 (N9126P), San Jose, CA, Minor damage. Landed with excess speed and wheel barrowed. Pilot to have additional training.

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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