# NTSB BFO89FA075: Piper PA-31-350, N234J, Lynchburg, VA, August 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1989, 00:45 local (04:45 UTC)
- Place: Lynchburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.359725, -79.220397 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3597&lon=-79.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA075

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS BECAUSE OF IMPROPER IFR OPERATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS DESCENT BELOW DECISION HEIGHT, DELAY IN INITIATING THE MISSED APPROACH, AND FOG CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TWICE TO LAND ON RWY 3. HE DID A VISUAL APPROACH AND THEN AN ILS APPROACH. THE PILOT AND WITNESSES REPORTED FOGGY CONDITIONS AT THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT FLEW THE ILS APPROACH AS A THIRD ATTEMPT TO LAND WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT DESENDED TO 1100 FT MSL ON THE APPROACH, ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE RWY. THE PUBLISHED DECISION HEIGHT WAS 1118 FEET. THE RADAR DATA INDICATED THE CFT PASSED EAST OF THE RWY THRESHOLD AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1000 FT MSL. THE NEXT AND LAST RADAR DATA SHOWS THE ACFT ABOUT 2300 FT BEYOND AND 400 FT EAST OF THE RWY. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES EAST OF THE RWY AND THEN CRASHED IN A CORNFIELD. AN EXAMINATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTION. THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED AND THE FLAPS WERE EXTENDED 10 DEGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N234J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N234J-1991-10-09), registration cancelled 1991-10-09, S/N 317952021 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7952021
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Bay Land Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SBY, SALISBURY, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LYH, Lynchburg, runway 3, 5,799 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,345 total, 190 in this make and model, 1,175 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH

## 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 19890828031649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890828031649A), Aug 28, 1989: Piper PA31350, Lynchburg, VA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. On 3rd try flew ILS approach fogged in runway. Descended below dh. Struck trees off end runway. Near zero fog.

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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