# NTSB IAD71FIG18: Piper PA-28R, N3990T, Martinsburg, WV, October 31, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: October 31, 1970
- Place: Martinsburg, WV · MARTINSBURG, WV
- Location: 39.4578° N, 77.9782° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Martinsburg, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4578&lon=-77.9782&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 179446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD71FIG18
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71FIG18

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2937  70/10/31   MARTINSBURG,W VA    PIPER PA-28R        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 49, 414
        TIME - 1203                    N3990T              PX-  0  1  1  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 364 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MARTINSBURG
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          FINDLAY,OHIO                MARTINSBURG,W VA             WINCHESTER,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       54
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          140                                                       6
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          BELOW MINIMUMS                                           IFR
        REMARKS- DEST BLO MIN.PLT ELECTED TO LND AT ALTERNATE,ALSO BLO MIN.DIDNT RECOGNIZE STA PASSAGE.HIT MTN SIDE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3990T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3990T-1971-01-15), registration cancelled 1971-01-15, S/N 28R-30345 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Martinsburg

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.