# NTSB BFO86FA021: Piper PA-28-140, N9636W, Chesapeake, VA, April 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1986, 02:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Chesapeake, VA
- Coordinates: 36.799755, -76.420341 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7998&lon=-76.4203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA021

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE THE FLT, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED DRINKING IN A BAR. HE & 3 OTHERS THEN DROVE TO THE ARPT, WHERE RPRTDLY, THE WX WAS BAD & THE VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED BY FOG. AFTER AWHILE, THE PLT STATED HE WAS GOING TO TAXI THE ACFT AROUND THE ARPT & INVITED THE OTHERS TO JOIN HIM. TWO OF THE OTHERS GOT INTO THE ACFT, BUT THE 4TH PERSON WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITIONS & REFUSED TO GO. THE PLT STARTED THE ENG & TAXIED TO THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO TAKEOFF & BEGIN A RGT TURN, THEN THE WITNESS LOST SIGHT OF THE PLANE. MOMENTS LATER, HE HEARD THE SOUNDS OF THE PLANE CRASHING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED ON ARPT PROPERTY, ABOUT 500 FT ENE FROM THE APCH END OF RWY 28. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.08% & A URINE/ALCOHOL LVL OF OF ABOUT 0.14%. THE PASSENGERS HAD BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.03% & 0.07%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9636W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9636W-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 28-23094, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23094
- Airframe hours: 2523
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Louisiana Delta
- Registered owner: Claire P. Benedict
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1986, 86 hours before
- Airport: PVG, Hampton Roads, runway 2, 3,526 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 123 total, 60 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 13 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 19860407086939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860407086939A), Apr 7, 1986: Piper STCPA28, Portsmouth, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The VFR pilot took off in IFR conditions and the aircraft hit trees. The pilot and passengers were intoxicated.

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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