# NTSB BFO92DOA01: Piper PA-28-181, N2126P, Belington, WV, September 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1991, 10:25 local (14:25 UTC)
- Place: Belington, WV
- Coordinates: 39.019535, -79.929527 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0195&lon=-79.9295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92DOA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92DOA01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING WAS MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A MOUNTAIN AND IT HAD BEEN MISSING FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS WHEN IT WAS FOUND. THE ACFT WAS HEADED 140 DEGREES WHEN IT STRUCK THE WEST SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. THE ACFT WRECKAGE DEBRIS WAS STREWN A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 300 FEET. THE FLIGHT WAS ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE EXAMINATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2126P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2126P-1997-07-17), registration cancelled 1997-07-17, S/N 287990290 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990290
- Airframe hours: 1979
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stear, Jackson C. & Barbara J.
- Registered owner: Stear, Jackson C. & Barbara J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1991, 4 hours before
- Departed: 8G6, CADIZ, OH
- Destination: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,392 total, 1,659 in this make and model, 10,450 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 230° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910918045149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910918045149A), Sep 18, 1991: Piper PA28181, Bilington, WV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Hunter found wreckage 17 days after accident no mechanical defects found weather VFR.

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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