# NTSB BFO92FA005: Piper PA-28-180, N8855J, West Wardsboro, VT, October 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1991, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: West Wardsboro, VT
- Location: 43.0295° N, 72.8526° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Wardsboro, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0295&lon=-72.8526&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA005

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE FLIGHT AND WEATHER PLANNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - low ceiling (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING HIS AIRCRAFT VFR TO A NEARBY MOUNTAIN TOP AIRPORT TO STORE IT FOR THE WINTER.  AS HE PROGRESSED TO HIS DESTINATION THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, THE CLOUDS WERE MUCH CLOSER TO THE GROUND.  WHILE MANEUVERING TO FIND HIS WAY, HE COLLIDED WITH A MOUNTAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8855J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8855J-1992-02-27), registration cancelled 1992-02-27, S/N 282819 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2819
- Airframe hours: 2903
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stuart P. Dauchy
- Registered owner: Stuart P. Dauchy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: JAMAICA, VT
- Destination: 4V8, MT SNOW, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RUT, 37 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 19911031048329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911031048329A), Oct 31, 1991: Piper PA28180, West Wardsboro, VT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off into IMC on short hop to another airport. Heard circling in dense fog. Struck trees on mountainside.

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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