# NTSB ERA17CA008: Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, N100UK, Ashwood, VA, October 7, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2016, 13:43 local (17:43 UTC) - Place: Ashwood, VA - Coordinates: 37.976112, -79.861946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9761&lon=-79.8619&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94171 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94171/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94171 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA008 ## Probable cause The noninstrument-rated pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05632E1), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=05632E1), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=05632E1), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=05632E1), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05632E1), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=05632E1), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=05632E1), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Terrain avoidance alert](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/410); cases with it: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/410/sequence.md?model=05632E1), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/410/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05632E1), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noninstrument-rated private pilot obtained weather information from an on-line flight planning website. Before departure, he also telephoned his destination airport and "determined the weather was all OK." He then took off and climbed to 5,500 ft mean sea level for the cruise portion of his flight. He advised that he also checked and monitored weather while en route but that the "fog and clouds came down really thick," so he decided to divert to the nearest airport. While flying toward his diversion airport, the visibility deteriorated and a "TERRAIN ALERT" warning illuminated on his GPS display. He attempted to pull up twice but impacted trees and terrain on the side of a mountain. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured during the impact, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Review of weather observations indicated that an extensive area of low clouds and a large area of marginal visual flight rules (MVFR) conditions existed over the pilot's planned route. Low instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions prevailed at the diversion airport and near the accident site with visibility less than 1/4 mile in heavy rain and overcast ceilings at 100 ft. The MVFR-to-IFR weather conditions had been forecast, and AIRMETs warning of IFR and mountain obscuration conditions had been issued. ## Factual narrative The non-instrument rated private pilot obtained weather information from an online flight planning website. Prior to departure he also telephoned his destination airport and "determined the weather was all OK." He then took off and climbed to 5,500 feet above mean sea level for the cruise portion of his flight. He advised that he also checked and monitored weather while enroute, but the "fog and clouds came down really thick," so he decided to divert to the nearest airport. While flying towards his diversion airport, the visibility deteriorated and a "TERRAIN ALERT" warning illuminated on his GPS display. He attempted to pull up twice, but impacted trees and terrain on the side of a mountain. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured during the impact and the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.Review of weather observations indicated an extensive area of low clouds, and a large area of marginal visual flight rules (MVFR) conditions existed over the pilot's planned route. Low instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions prevailed at the diversion airport and in the vicinity of the accident site, with visibility less than 1/4-mile in heavy rain and overcast ceilings at 100 ft. The MVFR to IFR weather conditions had been forecast, and AIRMETs warning of IFR and mountain obscuration conditions had been issued. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N100UK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100UK-2017-05-16), registration cancelled 2017-05-16, S/N 41224, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALGIMANTAS JONUSAS RV-10 - Registry model: [Algimantas Jonusas RV-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/algimantas-jonusas-rv-10) (registry code 05632E1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-D4A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-d4a5) (registry code 41798, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 41224 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 199 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-D4A5 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 8, 2016 - Departed: JVY, JEFFERSONVILLE, IN - Destination: W29, STEVENSVILLE, MD - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: HSP, Ingalls Field - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 695 total, 199 in this make and model, 645 as pilot in command, 9.5 in the last 90 days, 7.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 6 knots - Visibility: 0.3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KHSP, 3 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 20161007013609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161007013609A), Oct 7, 2016: Algimantas Jonusas RV-10, Hotsprings, VA, Destroyed. Investigation ongoing. Working with the pilot for more information. The pilot is injured and in and out of the hospital for appointments. He is responding the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94171. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 983 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statements and Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 245 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Satellite Images of Accident Area (item 3, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Satellite%20Images%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records - KHSP METARs (item 4, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20KHSP%20METARs-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records - Weather Conditions Near Ashwood, Virginia (item 5, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20Weather%20Conditions%20Near%20Ashwood,%20Virginia-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 6, .PDF, 6 photos, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454725&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.