# NTSB BFO86FA049: Piper PA-31-350, N59942, Elkwood, VA, September 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1986, 05:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Elkwood, VA
- Coordinates: 38.510463, -77.850486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5105&lon=-77.8505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT, WHICH WAS STOLEN FROM THE ARPT, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A STEEP ANGLE APRX ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE ARPT. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED WITH LOCAL VISIBILITY LESS THAN ONE MILE AS REPORTED BY PERSONS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT OR MULTIENGINE RATED. THE PLT WAS DENIED A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ABOUT TWO WEEKSPRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT DUE TO UNCONTROLLED HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N59942 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7552094
- Airframe hours: 4139
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Cerrand Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gerard A Cerrand
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 12, 1986, 5 hours before
- Departed: W49, CULPEPER, VA
- Airport: W49, Culpeper Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DUL

## 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 19860928050949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860928050949A), Sep 28, 1986: Piper PA31350, Culpeper, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stolen aircraft crashed on climbout in IMC. Pilot denied medical due hypertension and diabetes.

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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