Piper PA-32RT accident near Selmer, Tennessee, October 15, 2000
On October 15, 2000 at about 6:18 pm local time, a Piper PA-32RT, registered N789CS, was destroyed in an accident near Selmer, Tennessee (Selmer airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed, 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots inadequate preflight planning and preparation, that resulted in exceeding the designed weight and balance of the airplane. Factors were the pilot's use of inappropriate medications and the collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 15, 2000 · about 6:18 pm local time
- Place
- Selmer, Tennessee · Selmer · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed, 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT · all PA-32RTs on the register
- Registration
- N789CS · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7887257
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with trees and subsequently the ground shortly after takeoff. According to witnesses, the airplane used about 3/4ths of the 5002-foot runway on the takeoff roll, and just before liftoff they heard the engine 'miss-fire'. They said the airplane did not seem to want to climb, and they observed it porpoise just above the trees. The airplane porpoise two or three times and then disappeared into the trees, and a crash was heard followed by smoke and fire. Examination of weight and balance data showed that the takeoff weight of the airplane was 252 pounds more than the designed limits at the time of the accident. The toxicology examination found evidence of Hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine and acetaminophen in the pilot's blood and liver samples.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 610 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,817 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 28, 2000; 135 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SZY at 6:18 pm
- Destination: SHV Shreveport LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 35, 5,002 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:38 pm from SZY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 | ||
| Passengers | 2 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.