# NTSB CHI93FA053: Piper PA-30, N7243Y, Bowman, ND, December 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1992, 17:45 local (Dec 17, 1992, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Bowman, ND
- Coordinates: 46.179405, -103.399078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1794&lon=-103.3991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93FA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA053

## Probable cause

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE AFTER INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - clouds
  - weather condition - snow
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT/MECHANIC DEPARTED SECOND IN A FLIGHT OF TWO COMPANY AIRCRAFT, TRAVELLING TO AN FAA MECHANICS SEMINAR. THE COMPANY CHIEF PILOT, IN THE LEAD AIRPLANE, REPORTED 'SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, I FLEW INTO SOME LIGHT SNOW...I STARTED TO LOSE GROUND LIGHTS, SO I TOLD JARED WE SHOULD TURN AROUND...HE SAID HE WAS TURNING AROUND, TOO.' THERE WERE NO FURTHER RADIO TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE.  THE CHIEF PILOT STATED IT WAS A DARK NIGHT, AND DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS INHIBITED AIRBORNE SEARCHES.  THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS DISCOVERED THE NEXT MORNING.  POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7243Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7243Y-1993-06-17), registration cancelled 1993-06-17, S/N 30268 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-268
- Airframe hours: 4592
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weather Modification, Inc.
- Registered owner: Weather Modification, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1992, 70 hours before
- Departed: D04
- Destination: BIS, BISMARCK, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 192 total, 28 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles

## 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 19921216050809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921216050809A), Dec 16, 1992: Piper PA30, Bowman, ND, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Encountered clouds and snowshowers at night. Lost control trying to make a 180 degree turn to return to clear.

## Other investigations on N7243Y (2)

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.

- [NTSB MKC69D0346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69D0346-191148), Feb 10, 1969: Piper PA-30 (N7243Y), Osceola, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW66F0656](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0656), May 4, 1966: Piper PA-30 (N7243Y), Garlnad, TX, substantial damage

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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