# NTSB BFO92LA150: Piper PA-28-160, N5867W, Bethel, ME, September 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1992, 20:15 local (Sep 26, 1992, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, ME
- Location: 44.4336° N, 70.7712° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from BETHEL RGNL (0B1), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4336&lon=-70.7712&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA150

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO AVOID THE TERRAIN. THE DARK NIGHT WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED AT NIGHT ABOUT 2 MI EAST OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE ACCIDENT SITE IS MOUNTAINOUS, AND THE ELEVATION IS ABOUT 600 FT ABOVE THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPORT IS UNATTENDED; THE ONE RUNWAY IS NOT LIGHTED. ACCORDING TO THE SURVIVNG PASSENGER, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD BE LANDING SHORTLY, AND SOON AFTERWARDS SHE HEARD THE SOUNDS OF THE AIRPLANE STRIKING TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5867W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5867W-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 28-2439, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2439
- Airframe hours: 4953
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leroy W. Gray
- Registered owner: Leroy W. Gray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: BHB, BAR HARBOR, ME
- Airport: 0B1, Colonel Dyke Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGR, 95 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 19920925038999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920925038999A), Sep 25, 1992: Piper PA28160, Bethel, ME, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees on hillside descending to land at unlighted strip. Dark night. No ground lights.

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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