# NTSB BFO86FA015: Piper PA-32-260, N9477C, Lynchburg, VA, February 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1986, 23:17 local (Feb 8, 1986, 04:17 UTC)
- Place: Lynchburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.360828, -79.220024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3608&lon=-79.2200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA015

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEPARTED ELBERTON, GEORGIA AT ABOUT 2043 HOURS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN TO LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA. AFTER FAILING TO DESCEND OUT OF 4000 FEET DURING THE FIRST APPROACH, N9477C WAS VECTORED AROUND FOR A SECOND ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 3. SINCE THE TOWER CONTROLLER HAD GONE OFF DUTY THE SEQUENCE FLASHING LIGHTS FOR THAT RUNWAY WERE ACTIVATED BY THE PILOT. WEATHER RECORDING INSTRUMENTS ON THE FIELD INDICATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN ACTIVATED DURING THE FIRST APPROACH BUT HAD GONE OUT 8 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT DURING THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING VECTORED BACK TO THE ILS LOCALIZER. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE GROUND JUST SHORT OF AND TO THE LEFT OF THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 3.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9477C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7800004
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Augusta Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 27, 1986
- Departed: 27A, ELBERTON, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LYH, Lynchburg Municipal, runway 3, 5,799 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 244° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH, 1 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 19860207087279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860207087279A), Feb 7, 1986: Piper PA32260, Lynchburg, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with trees at the approach end of runway. This was his second approach. Descended below glide slope.

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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