Piper PA-32-260 accident near North Lima, Ohio, August 1, 1999
On August 1, 1999 at about 5:59 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-260, registered N5526J, was destroyed in an accident near North Lima, Ohio (Youngstown Elser Metro airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were 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 loss of control of the airplane during a turn. Factors include the pilot's failure maintain sufficient airspeed, and his failure to maintain the airplane in proper trim.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 1999 · about 5:59 pm local time
- Place
- North Lima, Ohio · Youngstown Elser Metro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-260 · all PA-32-260s on the register
- Registration
- N5526J · registry record · serial 32986
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After landing, the airplane's main fuel tanks were filled, and the five people got back onboard. The tail was almost touching the ground, and the airplane was sitting nose high. After takeoff, the airplane appeared to have a hard time climbing out, and was 'hanging on the prop.' The airplane turned toward a left downwind. It was initially nose high, then started to slowly lose altitude. Altitude loss quickened, the airplane's nose fell through, and the airplane maintained a sliding, left turn until it impacted the ground about 1/2 mile southwest of the airport. The engine was heard 'roaring' prior to impact, chordwise scratches were found on the propeller blades, and rotational marks were found on the starter housing. The estimated weight of the airplane was approximately 10 pounds under maximum gross weight, while center of gravity computations, using several different baggage loading scenarios, ranged from 1.1 inches, to 0.3 inches, forward of the aft center of gravity limit. Temperature at the time of the accident was 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and the density altitude was about 2,600 feet msl.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,768 hours in all; 23 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,159 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 1998; 167 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4G4 at 5:58 pm
- Destination: N47 Pottstown PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from YNG, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 | 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.