# NTSB BFO92FA032: Piper PA-23-250, N100LC, Sandston, VA, March 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1992, 17:57 local (22:57 UTC)
- Place: Sandston, VA
- Coordinates: 37.510143, -77.270629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5101&lon=-77.2706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11718
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11718/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA032

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE MISSED APPROACH PROCEDURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, missed approach (ifr)
  - object - tree(s)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFINGS ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT THAT INDICATED LOW CEILINGS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY. DURING THE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 34, THE PILOT ADVISED THE CONTROLLER THAT HE HAD LOST THE GLIDE SLOPE, AND REQUESTED AN AIRPORT SURVEILLANCE RADAR APPROACH (ASR). THE CONTROLLER STATED THAT HIS SCOPE IN THE TOWER SHOWED THE FLIGHT PATH IN THE GREEN, AND HE APPROVED THE ASR APPROACH. THE NEW MINIMUMS WERE PROVIDED TO THE PILOT AND HE WAS CLEARED TO LAND. AT ABOUT ONE HALF MILE FROM THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH. THE CONTROLLER GAVE THE PILOT THE MISSED APPROACH INSTRUCTIONS; HOWEVER, THE PILOT TRANSMITTED THAT 'JUST A LITTLE BIT LOWER, WE JUST SAW THE RUNWAY LIGHTS' RADAR & RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED ONE QUARTER MILE NORTH OF RUNWAY 34 WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND A ROAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100LC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100LC-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 27-4658, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (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: 27-4658
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Jasper Engine Exchange Inc.
- Registered owner: Jasper Engine Exchange Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1991, 41 hours before
- Departed: NC14, REIDSVILLE, NC
- Destination: RIC, SANDSTON, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RIC, Richmond Intl, runway 34, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,700 total, 120 in this make and model, 2,650 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °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 19920306005299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920306005299A), Mar 6, 1992: Piper PA23250, Richmond, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Began missed approach due weather. Saw runway,rolled to try visual. Too low, wing struck trees. Failed adhere to dh

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.