Chesapeake – Atlanta

On January 2, 1997 at 07:37 PM, Chesapeake – Atlanta experienced a crash involving Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601), operated by CG Aviation, with the event recorded near Chesapeake Virginia.

The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

4 people were known to be on board, 4 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The airplane departed the airport and crashed shortly thereafter. Before departure, the airplane was fueled with 120 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. According to the refueler, the airplane had full fuel tanks. The refueler also indicated the pilot had stated he wanted to be airborne prior to the arrival of bad weather. After the accident, the engines and propellers were disassembled and examined. No engine or propeller discrepancies were noted, except (post impact) heat damage.

Aircraft reference details include registration N3CD, MSN 61-0353-108, year of manufacture 1977.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 36.6878°, -76.2299°.