# NTSB ATL84FA080: Piper PA-32RT-300, N36791, Basye, VA, January 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1984, 19:25 local (Jan 12, 1984, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Basye, VA
- Coordinates: 38.830432, -78.799194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8304&lon=-78.7992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA080

## Analysis

AFTER THE ACFT LANDED, SLUSH WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE ACCUMULATED UNDER THE WINGS & LOWER AFT FUSELAGE & WAS FREEZING. THE ACFT WAS PARKED WITH THE TAIL FACING THE SUN, BUT NONE OF THE ARPT PERSONNEL NOTICED WHETHER THE SUN HAD MELTED THE ICE. THE PLT INDICATED HE WOULD RETURN BY 1630, BUT WHEN THE ARPT MANAGER WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE AT 1715, THE PLT HAD NOT YET RETURNED. ICE REFROZE ON THE RWY. THE ARPT MANAGER NOTIFIED THE FSS & LEFT A MESSAGE ON THE PHONE ANSWERING MACHINE THAT THE ARPT WAS CLOSED. ALSO, TO DISCOURAGE OPERATION ON THE ICY RWY, HE DID NOT TURN ON THE RWY LIGHTS. THE PLT RETURNED AT 1900 & ELECTED TO MAKE A NIGHT DEPARTURE. HE REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, BUT WOULD NOT CONTINUE CLIMBING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & THE ROOF OF A BUILDING, THEN CRASHED& BURNED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM. ANOTHER PLT NOTED A LAYER OF FROST ON THE LEADING EDGE OF HIS ACFT'S WINGS & ELECTED NOT TO FLY. HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS FROST ON N36791.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - notams - initiated, airport personnel
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36791](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36791-1989-08-19), registration cancelled 1989-08-19, S/N 32R7885209 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7885209
- Airframe hours: 1430
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flight America, Inc., doing business as Air Virginia, Inc.
- Registered owner: Douglas R. Bevington
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 16, 1983, 43 hours before
- Departed: W92
- Destination: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Airport: W92, Sky Bryce, runway 23, 2,240 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 936 total, 32 in this make and model, 841 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRB, 50 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 19840111001329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840111001329A), Jan 11, 1984: Piper PA32RT300, Bayse, VA, Destroyed. Night departure ice frost on aircraft. Failed to climb. Struck trees. W92 was closed due ice on runway lights off.

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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