Non-fatal Accident (3) – Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee Charger, N43DN, near Manchester, VT, February 26, 2025
ASX Investigation | ||||
On February 26, 2025, at approximately 08:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee Charger, registered as N43DN, crashed on Mount Equinox, Vermont. The aircraft, which was privately owned, departed from Baltimore-Martin State Airport, Maryland, around 06:07 local time. The intended destination remains unverified, but flight tracking data suggests that the aircraft was navigating through northeastern U.S. airspace before it lost control and impacted snow-covered terrain near Manchester, Vermont. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and all three occupants—two adults and one child—were injured but survived the accident. The aircraft’s pilot was a private individual who was flying under visual flight rules (VFR) and was not instrument-rated. During the flight, the aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions, including cloud cover and icing, as it approached the mountainous region. According to meteorological reports at the time, icing conditions were present between 1,500 and 6,000 feet, with ceilings as low as 700 feet. The pilot attempted to navigate through visible gaps in the cloud cover but inadvertently entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). This led to spatial disorientation, causing a series of control issues that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. According to flight data, the pilot made several altitude adjustments in an effort to maintain visual contact with the ground. Initially climbing to 4,800 feet, the aircraft later descended to approximately 1,700 feet before climbing again to 5,500 feet. The decision to climb higher was made after the pilot recognized that he had entered worsening weather conditions. However, due to the presence of airframe icing, the aircraft’s ability to maintain lift became compromised. The pilot reported a loss of control, which led to a rapid descent at rates exceeding 1,200 feet per minute. Flight tracking data confirmed erratic altitude changes and a final sharp descent just before impact. The aircraft came to rest in a heavily wooded and snow-covered area of Mount Equinox, approximately 3,200 feet above sea level. Witness accounts and emergency response records indicate that the aircraft’s impact was mitigated by the snow, which acted as a natural cushion. The aircraft’s wings were torn off during impact with trees, but the fuselage remained mostly intact. First responders faced significant challenges in reaching the crash site due to snow depths exceeding four feet, low visibility, and rough terrain. Rescuers from multiple agencies, including Manchester Fire Department, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, and the New York State Police Aviation Unit, worked together to extract the survivors. Emergency medical services arrived at the scene around 11:30 local time. The occupants were immediately assessed for injuries and transported to local medical facilities. Two individuals were taken to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, while the third was airlifted to Albany Medical Center for further evaluation. The injuries were classified as non-life-threatening, with one passenger sustaining minor injuries while the pilot and another passenger suffered more serious but stable conditions. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated an investigation into the incident, classifying it under the category of “Aerodynamic Stall/Spin.” Preliminary assessments indicate that icing accumulation and the pilot’s decision to operate under VFR into worsening IMC were contributing factors. The Piper PA-28-235 does not have de-icing capabilities beyond carburetor and pitot heat, making it highly vulnerable to ice accumulation in freezing conditions. The pilot, upon entering the clouds, reported immediate icing on the windshield and wings, leading to a rapid loss of performance. Further analysis of the pilot’s decisions revealed an attempt to descend below cloud cover for visual navigation, followed by a climb in an effort to escape the worsening weather. However, due to the icing, the aircraft struggled to maintain altitude, leading to a series of stalls and eventual loss of control. The pilot executed multiple recovery maneuvers, including spin recovery and terrain avoidance, before making a controlled emergency landing into the trees. The presence of deep snow and impact dispersion across the tree line likely contributed to the survivability of the accident. Radar data and ADS-B tracking confirmed that the aircraft exhibited erratic altitude and speed fluctuations in the minutes leading up to the crash. The data suggests that the pilot was attempting to maneuver around weather obstacles while maintaining a visual reference to the ground. However, once inside the cloud cover, the pilot became disoriented and was unable to maintain stable flight. The final moments before impact show a rapid descent followed by a reduction in vertical speed, indicative of the pilot’s last-second attempt to mitigate impact forces. Investigators are analyzing additional factors, including the pilot’s flight experience, aircraft maintenance records, and meteorological data. The FAA database lists the aircraft’s registration to a private owner in Baltimore, Maryland, with no recent airworthiness directives noted for this model. The NTSB is expected to release a final report once all investigative findings have been reviewed, including potential recommendations for VFR pilots operating near hazardous weather conditions. This accident underscores the risks associated with flying into IMC without an instrument rating, as well as the challenges posed by icing conditions in non-equipped aircraft. The ability of the occupants to survive was largely due to the controlled nature of the crash and the environmental conditions at the time of impact. Moving forward, the findings from this investigation may influence pilot training recommendations and operational guidance for general aviation pilots navigating through changing weather conditions. | ||||
Accident Information | ||||
Approx. Accident Location | Aircraft Fatalities 0 | Ground Fatalities 0 | Injured 3 |  |
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Aircraft Type | Operator Private | Registration | Serial Number | Manufacture date |
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