# NTSB BFO90FA076: Piper PA-601P, N8249J, Wiley Ford, WV, September 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1990, 16:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Wiley Ford, WV
- Coordinates: 39.620166, -78.75901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6202&lon=-78.7590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA076

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE BY NOT MAINTAINING SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE, WHILE CIRCLING TO LAND.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LOW CEILING AND VISIBILITY CONDITIONS IN FOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, circling (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR AN APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT. HE RECEIVED AIRPORT ADVISORIES FROM THE AIRPORT UNICOM OPERATOR & ASKED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS BE TURNED UP.  SOON AFTERWARDS, THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN APPROACHING RUNWAY 23, WHICH WAS SERVED BY A LOCALIZER APPROACH.  A WITNESS AT THE AIRPORT SAID HE SAW THE PLANE FLYING IN & OUT OF LOW HANGING CLOUDS. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE AT LEVEL FLIGHT, ABOUT 400 TO 500 FEET AGL, THEN IT PASSED OVER THE AIRPORT & WENT IN A STEEP LEFT TURN.  AFTER ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF TURN, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A SHALLOW DESCENT.  IT ROLLED OUT OF THE TURN BEFORE IT DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 28. THE WITNESS SAID HE HEARD ENGINE SOUNDS THROUGHOUT THE DESCENT.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.  A POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION OF THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8249J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8249J-1991-01-19), registration cancelled 1991-01-19, S/N 61P06537963302 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 610-7963302
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: National Jet Co. Inc.
- Registered owner: National Jet Co. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: JGG, WILLIAMSBURG, VA
- Destination: CBE, CUMBERLAND, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CBE, Cumberland Municipal, runway 23, 5,048 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,350 total, 1,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBE, 1 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 19900919041199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900919041199A), Sep 19, 1990: Piper PA60601P, Cumberland, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Broke out over airport in and out of clouds. Made steep turn to keep airport insight and flew into ground.

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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