# NTSB BFO88LA040: Cessna 340, N340FB, Pineville, WV, April 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1988, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Pineville, WV
- Coordinates: 37.580291, -81.530403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5803&lon=-81.5304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA040

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES WHILE TAXIING THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF THE ACFT CONTACTED A SAGGING WIRE WHICH WAS SUSPENDED BY TWO HANGARS. THE TOP 2 INCHES OF THE RUDDER WERE SEVERED. THE PLT WAS UNAWARE OF THE WIRE CONTACT AND FLEW ONTO HIS DESTINATION WHERE A LINEMAN INFORMED THE PLT OF THE DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N340FB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340-0098
- Airframe hours: 3013
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-N 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William B. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1987, 67 hours before
- Destination: CRW, CHARLESTON, WV
- Airport: I16, Welch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 9,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKW, 23 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 19880407012649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880407012649A), Apr 7, 1988: Cessna 340A, Pineville, WV, Substantial damage. During taxi struck sagging wire suspended between hangers, severed part rudder. Unaware flew to destination.

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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