NTSB Factual Report

On August 16, 2011, about 0425 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N492ST, was substantially damaged when it impacted wooded terrain in Graham, North Carolina. No one was found in or near the wreckage; however, on August 18, 2011, a suspect with minor injuries was arrested for larceny of the airplane. The airplane departed Horace Williams Airport (IGX), Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar information indicated that the airplane departed IGX about 0235, and subsequently made multiple turns, climbs and descents. Recorded altitudes varied between 5,100 feet above mean sea level (msl), and 800 feet msl in the vicinity of the accident site, while terrain elevations averaged about 600 feet. Numerous losses of radar contact were also noted during the flight, typically below 800 feet msl. Ground speeds also varied, between a maximum of 156 knots, and 54 knots near the accident site.

Responders found blood at the scene, but the occupant(s) of the airplane could not be located. FAA photographs revealed that the airplane came to rest next to a large tree. Tree damage was apparent almost directly above the wreckage, and there was no evidence of forward motion of the airplane.

According to a responding FAA inspector, the airplane appeared to have descended vertically through the trees. The propeller had one undamaged blade sticking up through fallen tree debris. There was no odor of fuel around the airplane, no fuel in the left tank, and the inspector couldn't tell if there was any fuel in the right tank. The owner of the airplane had arrived prior to the inspector, and had placed the fuel selector into the off position. The owner had also stated to the inspector that the airplane's fuel tanks had been full the last time he saw it and that there were 1.9 additional hours on the Hobbs meter.

According to aircraft recovery personnel, there was no postcrash fire, and no significant amount of fuel could be found either onboard the airplane or seeped into the ground when the airplane was dismantled and removed for transport.

The departure airport was owned by the University of North Carolina. On August 18, 2011, a suspect was arrested and transported to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Public Safety, where he was charged with larceny of the airplane.

According to a detective, the suspect refused to provide a statement. FAA records for the suspect indicated that he had obtained a student pilot certificate in 2004, which expired in 2009. As of March 13, 2012, the suspect's next court date for the larceny charge was scheduled for April 10, 2012.

The detective also noted that other airplanes on the ramp were found to have been tampered with, but that it could not be verified as to when the tampering occurred.

NTSB Probable Cause

The individual's fuel mismanagement, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent engine failure. Contributing the accident was the individual’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following the engine failure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.