LAURENS, SC, USA
N2609K
Piper PA-38-112
The pilot reported that during his preflight weather briefing he was told the weather conditions would be marginally visual the entire route. En route, circumnavigation was required because of the weather conditions. He decided that a fuel stop would be necessary, however, the selected airports had IMC. According to the pilot, he elected to 'stretch' the flight to the destination when told weather was improving there. About five miles from the destination the engine quit. The pilot stated he spotted a field and prepared for an emergency landing. On final approach, he saw power lines and attempted to go over them. The aircraft stalled, veered to the right and came to rest in an apple orchard.
On January 24, 1998, about 1307 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2609K, collided into an apple orchard four miles north of the Laurens County Airport in Laurens, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/ pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The private pilot and sole occupant sustained serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Lynchburg, Virginia about 0900 eastern standard time. According to the pilot, he could not land at his re-fueling stop due to instrument meteorological conditions at the intended airport. He stated he continued on to the Laurens County Airport where five miles from the airport, his engine quit. The pilot believes the airplane ran out of fuel. The pilot stated he spotted a field and prepared for an emergency landing. On final approach, he saw some power lines and attempted to go over them. The aircraft stalled and veered to the right. The airplane came to rest in an apple orchard.
The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation that resulted in initiating flight in marginal visual conditions, and resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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