Probable cause
The Piper Dakota (PA-28-236) pilot's failure to see and avoid the Piper Cherokee (PA-32-260).
NTSB analysis
The pilot of a Piper Cherokee (PA-32-260) was practicing a global-positioning-system (GPS) instrument approach in visual meteorological conditions without a safety observer onboard. Another pilot, in a Piper Dakota (PA-28-236), was also navigating inbound to the airport via GPS. Both pilots stated that they made inbound radio calls, during which they didn't hear each other, but heard a response from an airplane on the ground. The Dakota subsequently overtook the Cherokee and impacted its right side, peeling back the roof. The Dakota then descended, coming to rest inverted in trees, while the Cherokee entered a spin until a low-level recovery, followed by a descent into a river.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA033 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 1, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Plymouth, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Plymouth Municipal (PMZ)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.