# NTSB ATL83FA247: Beech G18S, N215W, Keyser, WV, June 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1983, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Keyser, WV
- Coordinates: 39.430622, -78.980567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4306&lon=-78.9806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA247

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE MANAGER OF BLACKHAWK AIRWAYS HAD CLEARED THE FLT FOR A 1000 EDT DEPARTURE, BUT THE ACTUAL TAKEOFF TIME WAS NOT ESTABLISHED. NO RECORD OF A PREFLT WX BRIEFING WAS FOUND. HOWEVER, DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION PRIOR TO THE FLT, THE PLT INDICATED TO HIS MANAGER THAT THE CLOUDS WOULD BE LOWER IN THE MOUNTAINS. AT APRX 1030, GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED AN ACFT, MATCHING THE DESCRIPTION OF N215W, CIRCLING BENEATH THE CLOUDS AT KEYSER, WV, THEN DEPART TO THE SOUTHWEST. WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION, A SEARCH WAS BEGUN. IT WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN APRX 6 MI SOUTHWEST OF KEYSER. THE IMPACT OCCURRED ON A 26 DEG SLOPE, AT APRX THE 3000 FT LEVEL, JUST BELOW A 3104 FT PEAK. THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING WHEN IT IMPACTED WOODED TERRAIN. A PLT/MECHANICAL, WHO OPERATED AN ARPT APRX 3 MI SOUTHEAST OF KEYSER, REPORTED THERE WAS FOG IN THE MORNING HRS WITH A CEILING OF ABOUT 2000 FT UNTIL MIDDAY & THAT THE MOUNTAIN TOPS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE WERE OBSCURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N215W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH G18S
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA 581
- Airframe hours: 12686
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Blackhawk Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 3, 1983
- Departed: W16, WINCHESTER, VA
- Destination: IOW, IOWA CITY, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKN, 47 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830630070439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830630070439A), Jun 30, 1983: Beech G18S, Keyser, WV, Destroyed. Flew into the side of a tree covered cloud obscured mountain. Aircraft was seen flying low in a valley.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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