# NTSB BFO90LA016: Piper PA-31, N7485L, Morgantown, WV, December 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1989, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Morgantown, WV
- Location: 39.6375° N, 79.9469° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Morgantown, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6375&lon=-79.9469&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA016

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED.  ICE ON THE RAMP AND THE LOCATION OF THE FENCE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - icy (cause)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7485L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7485L-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 31-7300907, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7300907
- Airframe hours: 12592
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-82C 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Roche Biomedical Laboratory
- Registered owner: Roche Biomedical Lab. Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1989, 623 hours before
- Departed: BUY, BURLINGTON, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MRG, Hart Field, runway 18, 5,199 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,600 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 5,375 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRG

## 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 19891209049559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891209049559A), Dec 9, 1989: Piper PA31310, Morgantown, WV, Substantial damage. Left wing struck a fence post while turning on a icy ramp at fast rate of speed. Aircraft slid on icy surface.

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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