# NTSB BFO92LA100: Piper PA-22-108, N4754Z, Beavertown, PA, July 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1992, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Beavertown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.749546, -77.160476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7495&lon=-77.1605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN GROUND CLEARANCE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A DOWNDRAFT AND INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS NEARING HIS DESTINATION WHEN HE NOTICED THE SKY WAS DARKENING NORTH OF THE AIRPORT.  THE PILOT DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND HEAD BACK TO WHERE HE DEPARTED.  HE SAID THAT AFTERWARDS HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  CONSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AND STRUCK THE EAST SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4754Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4754Z-1992-11-05), registration cancelled 1992-11-05, S/N 228310 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-8310
- Airframe hours: 2353
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-CIB 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kelly Wilson
- Registered owner: Kelly Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1991, 45 hours before
- Departed: PA23, MIFFLINTOWN, PA
- Destination: SEG, SELINSGROVE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 307 total, 149 in this make and model, 246 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT, 40 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 19920712025079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920712025079A), Jul 12, 1992: Piper PA22108, Beaver Town, PA, Destroyed. Near destination saw storm coming. Turned around to return to departure apt got downdraft and forced onto 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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