1 fatal · Piper J3C · 2018-10-06 · Fancy Gap, VA, USA
Event
NTSB number
ERA19FA003
Event ID
20181007X50731
Type
Accident
Date
2018-10-06
Location
Fancy Gap, VA, USA
Coordinates
36.638053, -80.707221
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
Piper
Model
J3C
Registration
N38811
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
IMC
Probable cause
The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to undertake a flight into forecast instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his subsequent decision to continue the flight after encountering IMC, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's depression and use of impairing/sedating medications, which resulted in poor decision-making.