Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Williamsburg, Virginia, November 12, 2006
On November 12, 2006 at about 4:25 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-300, registered N9430K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Williamsburg, Virginia (Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to depart into adverse weather conditions. Contributing was the gusty wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 12, 2006 · about 4:25 pm local time
- Place
- Williamsburg, Virginia · Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300 · all PA-32R-300s on the register
- Registration
- N9430K · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7680406
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff roll, the pilot lifted the nose wheel of the airplane off the runway early in order to "lessen ground drag on the nose." As the airplane reached 100 feet, and at an airspeed near rotation speed, the airplane encountered a wind gust of approximately "negative 30 knots." The airplane was then "hit from [the] top by wind," and subsequently impacted trees off the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated that if he had the chance to do the accident flight again, he would not have attempted the departure due to the winds. Witnesses described that as the airplane lifted off from the runway, it was moving "abnormally slow" and was "not climbing very quickly." It then climbed a "short distance" into the air before being "pushed down." It then gained altitude, but did not climb above the height of the trees beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane flew in a wings level attitude, straight into the tree line, and moments later erupted in flames. The weather reported at the time of the accident consisted of gusting winds and rain. Examination of radar information revealed level 3 convective activity just west of the airport around the time of the accident. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.
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: 2,140 hours in all
- Last flight review: October 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,674 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: JGG Williamsburg VA at 4:25 pm
- Destination: SPG St. Petersburg FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 31, 3,204 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 16 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,400 ft; scat at 900 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observation at 4:20 pm from JGG, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.