# NTSB Accident ERA17FA222
> **PIPER PA23** · 2017-07-01 · Chatsworth, GA, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** ERA17FA222
- **Event ID:** 20170701X93851
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2017-07-01
- **Location:** Chatsworth, GA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 34.711387, -84.728057
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 4
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 4
## Aircraft
- **Make:** PIPER
- **Model:** PA23
- **Registration:** N44HJ
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 2
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** IMC
## Probable cause

The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an encounter with severe convective activity, spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=ERA17FA222) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*