# NTSB BFO93FA082: Piper PA-32-300, N45087, Lyburn, WV, May 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1993, 23:45 local (May 12, 1993, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Lyburn, WV
- Coordinates: 37.740711, -81.929183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7407&lon=-81.9292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93FA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11873/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA082

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF RISING TERRAIN AND OBJECTS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DARKNESS AND RISING TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 2345 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A STATIC WIRE AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 1,900 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL.  THE POWER COMPANY REPORTED THAT THE POSITION OF THE STATIC WIRE IS ABOUT 280 FEET ABOVE THE TERRAIN AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1,690 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL.  THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 1.2 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT.  THE DEPARTED AIRPORT'S ELEVATION WAS 730 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL.  THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY POST IMPACT FIRE.  NO AIRFRAME OR ENGINE ANOMALIES WERE NOTED.  VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT AND PATCHES OF GROUND FOG WERE REPORTED AROUND THE AREA. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT'S LOG BOOK WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45087](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45087-2014-10-09), registration cancelled 2014-10-09, S/N 32-7940247, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7940247
- Airframe hours: 1178
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William M. Charles
- Registered owner: W. Newberry/T. Osborne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: 6L4, LOGAN COUNTY, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKW, 30 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 19930511013279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930511013279A), May 11, 1993: Piper PA32300, Lyburn, WV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck static powerline on night takeoff from small strip.

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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