# NTSB BFO85FA005: Douglas AD-4NA, N91954, Syria, VA, November 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1984, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Syria, VA
- Coordinates: 38.659923, -78.450859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6599&lon=-78.4509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA005

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, climb
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD OBTAINED TWO WX BRIEFINGS BFR THE FLT BOTH INDICATING VFR NOT RECOMMENDED. HE SAID HE WOULD FLY VFR AS LONG AS HE COULD ALONG A NORTHERN ROUTE THAT WAS FORECAST TO BE VFR DETERIORATING TO MVFR. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A STRAIGHT SLIGHT CLIMB IN AND OUT OF CLOUDS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ENTERING A CLOUD THAT COVERED THE HILL WHERE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED WEST OF THE FORECAST VFR ROUTE ON A MORE DIRECT ROUTE TO THE PLTS DESTINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N91954 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS AD-4NA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 126970
- Airframe hours: 39834
- Engines: WRIGHT R-3350-26WD 3350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack Spanich
- Registered owner: Spanich Bonding Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 5, 1984
- Departed: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Destination: YIP, DETROIT, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 972 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 57 °F

## 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 19841104064859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841104064859A), Nov 4, 1984: Cessna 180A, Syria, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR not advised. Departed anyway. Flew into cloud obsured hill. Was observed in and out of clouds.

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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