# NTSB BFO88FA031: Ryan Navion NA-4, N1598V, Fancy Gap, VA, March 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1988, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Fancy Gap, VA
- Coordinates: 36.659439, -80.699073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6594&lon=-80.6991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT AND CLEARANCE WITH RISING TERRAIN AFTER VFR FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED IMC.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT WAS ON A TRIP THAT ORIGINATED IN THASTING, MI. THIS FLIGHT WAS THE SECOND LEG OF THE TRIP AFTER AN OVERNIGHT STOP AT GALLIPOLIS, OH. THERE WAS NO RECORD THAT THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING BEFORE HE DEPARTED VFR FROM GALLIPOLIS AT AN UNDETERMINED TIME. THE ACFT WENT ABOUT 130 MILES WHEN WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT FLYING SOUTH AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER A HIGHWAY IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. WITNESSES SAID THERE WAS A LOW CEILING, FOG AND LOW VISIBILITY. A WITNESS SAID THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 300 FT AND THE VISIBILITY WAS LESS THAN A MILE. SOON AFTERWARDS THE ACFT REVERSED COURSE AND COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 3200 FT MSL. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE AUTOPSY DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PLT INCAPACITATION OR IMPAIRMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1598V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1598V-2009-06-30), registration cancelled 2009-06-30, S/N NAV-4-1794, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION NA-4 (NAVION NA-)
- Registry model: [Ryan NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion-a) (registry code 6150162) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-1794
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-9 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael K Newell
- Registered owner: Unregistered
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GAS, GALLIPOLIS, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast

## 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 19880325009809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880325009809A), Mar 25, 1988: Tmpson NAVIONA, Fancy Gap, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control in low clouds and dense fog while trying to follow highway. Crashed in open field. Aircraft burned.

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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