# NTSB ATL86LA061: Piper PA-23-250, N14259, Rural Retreat, VA, January 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1986, 15:54 local (20:54 UTC)
- Place: Rural Retreat, VA
- Coordinates: 36.890953, -81.270423 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8910&lon=-81.2704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PILOT SAID FIRST ADF APPROACH TERMINATED BY MISSED APPROACH DUE TO OSCILLATING DIRECTIONAL NEEDLE. ON SECOND APPROACH ACFT BROKE OUT OF CLOUDS WITH TREES IN FRONT OF ACFT. IT IMPACTED A CLOUD OBSCURED RIDGE 3.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF AIRPORT ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. PILOT/WITNESSES REPORTED STRONG WINDS FROM THE NORTHWEST TO NORTH. FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR NDB APPROACH WAS 253. CEILING REPORTED AT AIRPORT AS 1000'. MDA WAS 1100'. NDB WAS REPORTED BY FBO AS APPARENTLY OPERATING SATISFACTORILY. TESTS OF ACFT ADF RECEIVER REVEALED IT ALSO OPERATED SATISFACTORILY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14259](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14259-1988-11-23), registration cancelled 1988-11-23, S/N 274820 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-4820
- Airframe hours: 3660
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Patten Corporation Of Va.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1985, 186 hours before
- Departed: W96, QUINTON, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 5A1, Mountain Eagle

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,334 total, 143 in this make and model, 1,159 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19860120000869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860120000869A), Jan 20, 1986: Piper PA23250, Rural Retreat, VA, Substantial damage. Improper instrument approach in mountainous area. Struck trees on Mountain after breaking out of clouds after map.

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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