Piper PA-28-181 accident near Block Island, Rhode Island, October 14, 2002
On October 14, 2002 at about 5:55 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-181, registered N5675V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Block Island, Rhode Island (Block Island State Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance as a result of physical impairment due to smoke.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 14, 2002 · about 5:55 pm local time
- Place
- Block Island, Rhode Island · Block Island State Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · all PA-28-181s on the register
- Registration
- N5675V · no longer on the register · serial 28-7790493
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While in cruise flight, the pilot observed smoke in the cockpit, and diverted to an airport. During the diversion, due to the smoke in the cockpit, the pilot suffered a burning sensation in his eyes and nose, a headache, and dizziness. Subsequently, the airplane touched down fast, about 800-900 feet beyond the approach end of the 2,501-foot long runway, overran the runway, and struck a fence. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the plastic housing and associated wiring on the battery box solenoid relay had melted.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 265 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 125 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 16, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,871 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 6, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lom O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ACK Nantucket MA at 4:45 pm
- Destination: W00 Mitchellville MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 28, 2,501 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from BID
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.