Piper PA 11 accident near Arcanum, Ohio, September 14, 2016
On September 14, 2016 at about 1:15 pm local time, a 1947 Piper PA 11, registered N4910M, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Arcanum, Ohio. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's reckless flying attitude and use of multiple psychoactive drugs, which likely impaired his ability to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 14, 2016 · about 1:15 pm local time
- Place
- Arcanum, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 11, built 1947 · all PA 11s on the register
- Registration
- N4910M · no longer on the register · serial 111641
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Although federal regulations do not allow a student pilot to carry passengers, the student pilot and a passenger departed from a private airstrip on a personal flight in the airplane. During the flight, the passenger posted on social media a video that showed the airplane maneuvering at low altitude. The airplane subsequently impacted a cornfield at high speed. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology testing of specimens from the student pilot indicated the use of multiple psychoactive drugs, including alprazolam, cocaine, ethanol, and hydroxyzine. The combined effects of these drugs likely impaired his ability to safely perform low-altitude maneuvers.
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
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Illicit drug › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Personality/attitude › Personality › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Alcohol › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 31 hours in all; 9 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 9 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,925 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 31, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor C85-12 (piston); 725 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PRIV Arcanum OH at 12:00 pm
- Destination: Arcanum OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,000 ft; scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from KVES, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on March 26, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google View of Accident Site and Departure Airstrip | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Photos of Accident Site and Airplane | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Facebook Video of Airplane Maneuvering - Screenshots | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | In Flight Text Posted by Passenger | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Interviews - Excerpt of Police Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB Medical Factual Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Toxicological Report - Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Toxicological Report - Passenger | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Personal Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.