# NTSB BFO87FA009: Piper PA-28-161, N43905, Danville, VA, November 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1986, 00:15 local (05:15 UTC)
- Place: Danville, VA
- Coordinates: 36.629417, -79.429206 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6294&lon=-79.4292&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): 11278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FA009

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - meteorological service - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AROUND THE AIRPORT AS THE WEATHER DETERIORATED. THE PILOT HAD ELECTED TO DEPART AT ABOUT 2345 EST AFTER OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING 6 & 1/2 HOURS BEFORE. THE PLT HAD A TOTAL OF ABOUT 83 HOURS FLYING TIME AND DID NOT HAVE ANY INSTRUMENT TIME LOGGED IN HIS LOGBOOK SINCE OBTAINING HIS PRIVATE PLT CERTIFICATE OVER A YEAR PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT DISAPPEAR IN AND OUT OF FOG. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES IN A RIGHT WING LOW, RIGHT TURN BEFORE COMING TO REST NEXT TO AN ABANDONDED HOUSE WITHIN 1,000 FT OF A RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43905](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43905-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N 288516043 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288516043
- Airframe hours: 458
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: General Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: General Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 30, 1986, 20 hours before
- Airport: DAN, Danville Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 83 total, 13 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark

## 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 19861117087269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861117087269A), Nov 17, 1986: Piper PA28161, Danville, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control on a night joy ride in low ceiling and visibility conditions. Struck trees and a building. VFR pilot.

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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