# NTSB BFO92FA131: Piper PA-38-112, N2509D, Conway, MA, September 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1992, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Conway, MA
- Location: 42.5098° N, 72.6995° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Conway, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5098&lon=-72.6995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA131

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TREES.  A POSSIBLE FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S USE OF A PRESCRIPTION DRUG.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN CIRCLING THE PILOT'S HOME AT A LOW ALTITUDE.  A NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR STATED SHE HAD SEEN THE AIRPLANE FLYING AROUND THE PILOT'S HOME 'BARELY ABOVE TREE TOP LEVEL, WITH THE LEFT WING LOWER THAN THE RIGHT WING.' THE PILOT'S FIANCEE STATED THAT SHE HEARD THE AIRPLANE FLY OVER THEIR HOME AND THEN HEARD A 'THUMP.'  THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE PILOT'S HOME.  NO AIRFRAME OR ENGINE ANOMALIES WERE NOTED.  VMC EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  THE PILOT WAS TAKING PRESCRIBED MEDICATION FOR A BIOLOGICALLY BASED DISORDER NAMELY 'PANIC DISORDER.'  A TOXICOLOGY TEST OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD DETECTED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, FLUOXETINE AND TEMAZEPAM.  THE TEST SHOWED 0.044 UG/ML OF TEMAZEPAM, 0.083 UG/ML OF FLUOXETINE, AND 0.138 UG/ML NORFLUOXETINE IN HIS BOOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2509D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2509D-1993-03-02), registration cancelled 1993-03-02, S/N 3879A0346 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 79A0346
- Airframe hours: 4442
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: City Aviation Incorporated, doing business as New England Air Connection
- Registered owner: Richard Mcgee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 1992, 8 hours before
- Departed: 7B2, NORTHAMPTON, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 252 total, 6 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAF, 1 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 19920908035539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920908035539A), Sep 8, 1992: Piper PA38112, Conway, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees while circling pilots home at tree top level. Medication for depression and panic disorder.

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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