# NTSB BFO92LA070: Piper PA-28-161, N2950K, Morrisville, VT, May 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1992, 21:50 local (May 21, 1992, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Morrisville, VT
- Location: 44.5573° N, 72.5900° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Morrisville, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5573&lon=-72.5900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11793
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11793/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA070

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE TERRAIN.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A DARK NIGHT AND THE LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT NIGHT OVER THREE MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF.  THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST TAKEOFF FROM THIS AIRPORT, HAVING FLOWN THERE EARLIER THAT DAY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE USED 25 DEGREES OF FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF, AND THEN CLIMBED AT 60 KNOTS.  HE SAID DURING THE DEPARTURE FROM THE AIRPORT,'THE SURROUNDINGS GOT DARKER AND DARKER.'  AS HE CLIMBED THROUGH 1000 FEET MSL HE GRADUALLY RAISED THE FLAPS AND INCREASED SPEED TO 80 KNOTS.  HE CLIMBED NORTH, DIRECT TO THE MONTPIELER VOR.  THE PILOT SAID HE WAS 'AMAZED HOW DARK IT WAS, BARELY ABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE HORIZON.'  HE THEN SAW TREES AHEAD IN THE PATH OF THE AIRPLANE, WHICH HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO AVOID BY PULLING BACK ON THE CONTROL WHEEL.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED JUST AS THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES.  THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND AND A FIRE ERUPTED AFTER THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS EXITED THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2950K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2950K-1993-01-11), registration cancelled 1993-01-11, S/N 287916574 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916574
- Airframe hours: 4908
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beverly Flight Center
- Registered owner: Beverly Flight Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 21, 1992, 30 hours before
- Destination: BVY, BEVERLY, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 150 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTV, 26 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 19920520015509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920520015509A), May 20, 1992: Piper PA28161, Morrisville, VT, Destroyed. Climbed out at dark night toward mountain pass. Struck trees 100 feet below ridge. Dropped to ground and burned.

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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