Piper PA-30 accident near Raymond, Mississippi, December 1, 2005
On December 1, 2005 at about 7:57 pm local time, a Piper PA-30, registered N7315Y, was destroyed in an accident near Raymond, Mississippi (John Bell Williams Airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain Vmc (velocity minimum control) on initial climb resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power to the right engine and the prevailing gusty wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 1, 2005 · about 7:57 pm local time
- Place
- Raymond, Mississippi · John Bell Williams Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30 · all PA-30s on the register
- Registration
- N7315Y · no longer on the register · serial 30-358
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 4,000-hour commercial pilot lost control of the twin-engine airplane during the initial takeoff climb from runway 30. The airplane was observed impacting the ground in a steep nose down attitude. The airplane came to rest upright on airport property on a heading of 150 degrees. The airplane rebounded approximately 15 feet before coming to rest on a heading of 200 degrees. A post-crash fire consumed the cabin, forward fuselage and center portions of both wings, including both fuel tanks in each wing. Both engines sustained extensive thermal damage. The landing gear was found in the extended position and the wing flaps were found in the fully retracted position. Flight and engine control continuity was established. The right engine propeller and propeller spinner did not show any signatures consistent with rotation at the time of impact. The airplane, which was recently sold to a new owner, was reported to have been parked outside at a couple of ramps at the airport, and had been flown for 15 hours in the preceding 10 years. A special flight permit was issued for the 152-nautical flight to a location where an annual inspection was to be performed. No distress calls were received from the pilot prior to the mishap. The weather conditions at the airport at the time of the accident were reported as winds from 340 degrees at 12 knots gusting 15 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 16 degrees Celsius, dew point 0 degrees Celsius, and a barometric pressure at 30.10 inches of Mercury.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,876 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 0 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,123 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2004; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO-320-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming IO-320-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: M16 Raymond MS at 1:57 pm
- Destination: M72 New Albany MS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 3,992 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from HKS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.