# NTSB Accident MIA97FA097
> **Piper PA-24-260** · 1997-03-15 · ANDREWS, NC, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** MIA97FA097
- **Event ID:** 20001208X07592
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1997-03-15
- **Location:** ANDREWS, NC, USA
- **Coordinates:** 35.189506, -83.8199
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 2
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 2
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Piper
- **Model:** PA-24-260
- **Registration:** N8857P
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** NDRK
- **Weather:** IMC
## Probable cause

The pilot's poor in-flight planning in attempting to maintain VFR conditions at night over mountainous terrain, and his failure to maintain clearance from the mountain.  Contributing to the accident was: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning for not obtaining a formal weather briefing, and his self-induced pressure to arrive before a specific time for the start of a planned event.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=MIA97FA097) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*