# NTSB BFO93FA005: Cessna 177B, N34664, War, WV, November 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1992, 19:15 local (Nov 15, 1992, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: War, WV
- Coordinates: 37.299797, -81.679351 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2998&lon=-81.6794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA005

## Probable cause

VFR FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND THE PILOT ALLOWING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT TO BE EXCEEDED.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, DARKNESS, AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDIITON.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED THE AIRPORT DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS.  A WEATHER BRIEFING WAS NOT OBTAINED. THE FLIGHT WAS OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND ENCOUNTERED LOW CLOUDS AND HEAVY SNOWFALL. WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRPLANE OVERHEAD BUT COULD NOT SEE IT UNTIL IT DESCENDED OUT FROM THE CLOUDS IN A 'TWISTING' MOTION.  THE LEFT WING HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT IN POSITIVE BENDING, FOLLOWED BY THE RUDDER.  THE REMAINDER OF THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN ABOUT 1000 FEET FROM THE LEFT WING.  NO PRE IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE.  THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AND DID NOT OBTAIN FLIGHT TRAINING IN IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34664](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34664-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 17701928, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701928
- Airframe hours: 1738
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Litco Brokers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Litco Brokers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: I25, WELCH, WV
- Destination: 1A6, MIDDLESBORO, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- 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 19921114046549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921114046549A), Nov 14, 1992: Cessna 177B, War, WV, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control in newly purchased 177 in heavy snow at night. Not competent in type of IFR. No pilot certificate.

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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