# NTSB BFO92FA064: Beech 65, N30RR, Madison, VA, May 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1992, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Madison, VA
- Coordinates: 38.370014, -78.250976 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3700&lon=-78.2510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA064

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INITIATED VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS LOW CEILING, HIGH TERRAIN, AND LOW ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT WAS EN ROUTE TO HIS GRANDDAUGHTER'S GRADUATION EXERCISES SCHEDULED FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY. HE HAD RECEIVED TWO PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFINGS FROM FLIGHT SERVICE AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS EXISTED EN ROUTE, AND INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT HIS DESTINATION, AND THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.  A WITNESS WHO WAS BELOW THE MOUNTAIN SAID HE HEARD A LOW FLYING AIRCRAFT OVERHEAD.  HE STATED THAT HE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF THE AIRPLANE AND SAID IT WAS 'WELL BELOW THE CREST OF THE MOUNTAIN' HEADING SOUTH.  THE WEATHER AS REPORTED BY THE WITNESS WAS ABOUT 200 OVERCAST AND VISIBILITY BELOW 1 MILE IN FOG. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CLOUDS HAD OBSCURED THE MOUNTAIN.  SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HE HEARD WHAT WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE THE COLLISION. SEARCH PERSONNEL LOCATED THE BURNING WRECKAGE ON TOP OF MITCHELLS MOUNTAIN 50 MILES NORTH OF CHARLOTTESVILLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30RR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30RR-1992-10-06), registration cancelled 1992-10-06, S/N LC186 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 65
- Registry model: [Beech 65](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65) (registry code 1152802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LC186
- Engines: LYCOMING IGSO-480 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mc Gee, John J.
- Registered owner: Mc Gee Timber Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1991
- Departed: ABE, ALLENTOWN, PA
- Destination: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,003 total, 5,825 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- 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 19920516015129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920516015129A), May 16, 1992: Beech 65, Madison, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Advised weather below VFR and IFR at destination. Departed anyway. Flew into side of cloud obscured mountain.

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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