# NTSB BFO85FA004: de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth, N172VF, Keyser'S Ridge, MD, October 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1984, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Keyser'S Ridge, MD
- Coordinates: 39.620964, -79.3199 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6210&lon=-79.3199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS THE FINAL LEG OF A FLT FROM WINCHESTER, VA THAT HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED THE DAY BEFORE DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS WERE OBTAINED ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, BOTH OF WHICH INCLUDED THE STATEMENT THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT ALONG INTERSTATE 48. THE PLT STATED TO A FRIEND THAT THE WEATHER LOOKED 'TERRIBLE' BUT WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO GET HOME, AND THAT SHE WOULD TURN AROUND IF POOR WEATHER WAS ENCOUNTERED. WITNESSES TRAVELING WEST ON ROUTE 48 SAY THE ACFT AT APRX 400 FT AS IT FLEW BELOW THE OVERCAST OBSCURING THE HILLTOPS. THE CEILING LOWERED IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND WITNESSES OBSVD THE ACFT IN A STEEP LEFT BANK 50 TO 60 FT ABOVE THE GRND. THE NOSE PITCHED SHARPLY DOWNWARD AND THE ACFT STRUCK AND CAME TO REST ON A HIGHWAY ACCESS RAMP. A FIRE ENSUED. FOG AND RAIN SUBSEQUENTLY ENVELOPED THE SITE PRECLUDING A MEDEVAC HELO LANDING ON SCENE. THE PLT SUCCUMBED TO INJURIES IN A HOSPITAL ABOUT 8 HRS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172VF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172VF-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N NM-172, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DH 82 TIGER MOTH (DH 82 TIGE)
- Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NM. 133
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: BRISTOL GYPSEYMAJOR1 122 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lois A. Fida
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 1W3, CUMBERLAND, MD
- Destination: 8G6, CADIZ, OH
- Airport: runway 6, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total, 65 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGW, 25 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 19841029063229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841029063229A), Oct 29, 1984: Dhavxx DH82AROBRTSN, Keysers Ridge, MD, Destroyed. VFR pilot following highway in IFR conditions lost control after going into fog bank. Impacted ground and burned.

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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