# NTSB BFO87FA062: Cessna 172P, N65721, Cabin, WV, September 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1987, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Cabin, WV
- Coordinates: 38.990215, -79.199699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9902&lon=-79.1997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11292
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87FA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11292/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FA062

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A VFR FLIGHT AT 4500 FT MSL OVER A MOUNTAINOUS AREA WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED LOWERING CLOUDS. THE PLT DESCENDED TO STAY BELOW THE CLOUDS; HOWEVER, HE INADVERTENTLY ENTERED THE CLOUDS. AFTERWARDS HE TRIED TO TURN AROUND AND AS HE DID SO, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE SURVIVORS WHO WAS THE PLTS WIFE, TREES APPEARED INTO VIEW FOLLOWED BY A TREE STRIKE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN AT ABOUT 3500 FT. THE ELT ACTIVATED. SEARCH AND RESCUE PERSONNEL REACHED THE ACCIDENT SITE ABOUT 23 HRS LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65721](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65721-1989-08-17), registration cancelled 1989-08-17, S/N 17275834 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-75834
- Airframe hours: 1479
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: York Aero Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 24, 1987, 89 hours before
- Departed: THV, YORK, PA
- Destination: EKN, ELKIN, WV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 188 total, 8 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Observed at: EKN, 28 nm away

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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