# NTSB NYC82FA237: Piper PA-32-R-300, N8690E, Berkeley Spring, WV, September 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1982, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Berkeley Spring, WV
- Coordinates: 39.550582, -78.209045 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5506&lon=-78.2090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FA237

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - light condition - daylight
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN DURING LEVEL FLIGHT AT ABOUT 2000 FT MSL. THE IMPACT OCCURRED WHERE THE TERRAIN SLOPED UPWARD AT ABOUT A 45 DEG ANGLE. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, THE PILOT WAS ADVISED OF MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS AND POSSIBLE OBSCURATION OF THE MOUNTAIN TOPS. VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8690E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-R-300 (PA-32-R-30)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680157
- Airframe hours: 456
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Duane Luebbe
- Registered owner: Duane & Alvin Luebbe
- Departed: W16, WINCHESTER, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 151 total, 54 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Observed at: 2 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 19820926051739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820926051739A), Sep 26, 1982: Piper PA32R300, Berkeley Spring, WV, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft crashed into mountain at 2000 foot elevation. Pilot was advised against VFR flight.

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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