Piper PA-32R Safety Record

The pilot's improper in-flight decision not to over fly/inspect the snow covered runway prior to landing, and his failure to align the airplane over the centerline of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the snow covered runway, the airport operator's failure to properly plow and clear the runway, and hidden obstructions (previously plowed snow) under the freshly fallen snow.

The decision by the pilot to fly into known adverse weather, and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factors include the clouds and the night conditions.

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid while maneuvering resulting in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the local controller's failure to properly identify conflicting traffic.

The pilot's spatial disorientation when he encountered convective turbulence which resulted in a loss of control. This encounter resulted in an in-flight break up. Contributing to the accident was the convective turbulence in the clouds.

An in-flight fire occurred during the initial climb as a result of the aviation maintenance technician's failure to sufficiently tighten the b-nut that was found disconnected post-accident. A contributing factor was the engine manufacturer's failure to specify a torque value.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which was a result of spatial disorientation after takeoff into instrument conditions with an operationally degraded electronic primary flight display. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s failure to properly utilize the airplane’s standby flight instruments, the electronic primary flight display system’s unaligned state prior to takeoff for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s lack of knowledge of degraded autopilot functions with an unaligned primary display system.

The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to oil starvation, resulting in an emergency off-airport forced landing. A factor associated with the accident was the instructor's improper in-flight decision in delaying to seek an emergency landing site following a loss of oil pressure indication.

The pilot's improperly planned approach which resulted in the encounter with wake turbulence while the airplane's airspeed exceeded maneuvering speed. This encounter resulted in the subsequent loss of aircraft control and the in-flight separation of the left and right sides of the stabilator and the left wing.

A loss of engine power due to an oil line leak and oil exhaustion. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing.