PITTSBURG, KS, USA
N47558
Piper PA-28-161
The pilot and passengers reported they had taken off at night with the intent to fly over the city and look at city lights. After doing so, the pilot circled his parent's home three times. He thought he saw the porch light go on so, he decided to circle one more time. The pilot reported that during the turn, the airplane apparently was descending, because once he completed the turn and was heading east, the airplane flew into the low side of a terrace. The airplane then became airborne, and the pilot added power in an attempt to climb. However, the airplane 'quit flying' came to rest in an open field. One of the passengers reported the airplane was less than 150 feet above the ground, when they were circling the residence.
On August 29, 1996, at 0030 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 161, N47558, operated by Macs Aircraft Repair, Pittsburg, Kansas, collided with the terrain in Pittsburg, Kansas. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. A second passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Pittsburg, Kansas, at 2330 cdt. The pilot and passengers reported they had taken off with the intent to fly over the city of Pittsburg to look at the city lights. The pilot stated that after doing so he circled his parent's home three times. He stated he them thought he saw the porch light go on so he decided to circle one more time. The pilot reported, "During the turn, apparently the airplane was descending because once I completed the turn and was heading east I flew the airplane into the low side of a terrace located in a pasture southwest of the house." The pilot continued to stated that the airplane then became airborne and he added power in an attempt to clear powerlines ahead of him. He stated the engine was not producing full power; however, they were able to clear the powerlines before the airplane "quit flying" coming to rest in an open field. One of the passengers reported the airplane was less than 150 feet above the ground when they were circling the residence.
the pilot diverted his attention and failed to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, and the pilot performing low altitude flight at night.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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