24) IN FLIGHT BREAKUP, U-FIT

Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga II HP | N9236J

April 12th, 2024 | Knoxville, Tennessee

Accident Location

  • City: Knoxville
  • State: Tennessee
  • Latitude: 35.66675
  • Longitude: -84.47778
  • Airport ID: KTYS

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N9236J
  • Make: Piper
  • Model: PA-32R-301 Saratoga II HP
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Scarlett, James Evan
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 45
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: None
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: April 12th, 2024
  • Time: 4:35 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: IMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Enroute
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: ERA24FA176
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 24) IN FLIGHT BREAKUP, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that while the pilot may have previously held a pilots license, at the time of the accident he did not. His most recent FAA Third class medical was dated April, 2023. The pilot reported “moisture” in flight and declared an emergency to ATC, after which the aircraft broke up in flight. The wreckage was scattered over several square miles. It is likely that the aircraft encountered both convective activity, and may have also picked up airframe icing. Somehow the airframe was obviously overspeed, causing an exceedance of the maximum structural load carrying ability of the airframe.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft use best practices in preflight planning to avoid both in flight icing, as well as highly developed convective thunderstorm activity. The basic fuselage was found somewhat intact with the pilot in the front left seat, most likely alive and conscious for the entire uncontrolled descent to impact. The DTSB recommends that you take extraordinary steps to not experience this.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.