Probable cause
Undetermined based on a lack of available information.
NTSB analysis
The pilot purchased the airplane about 2 months before the accident, and the accident flight was his first flight in the airplane. The airplane impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. Neither the pilot nor passenger could recall the sequence of events leading to the accident. The sole witness to the accident did not see the airplane and only heard its engine "rev up" immediately before ground impact. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15LA028 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 26, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Valley Point, West Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Valley Point (WV29)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-140
- N-number
- N5601U
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.