# NTSB NYC92FA153: Danny M Damron Long EZ, N90PD, Front Royal, VA, August 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1992, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Front Royal, VA
- Coordinates: 38.918998, -78.179946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9190&lon=-78.1799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA153

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS, AND A COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITIES, AND THE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG WHICH OBSCURED THE RIDGE LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP AFTER HE RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED AN ADVISORY FOR MOUNTAIN OBSCUREMENT ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT.  EN ROUTE HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CLOUDS AND FOG OVER A RIDGE LINE WHICH WAS THE HIGH POINT BETWEEN HIS DEPARTURE POINT AND THE INTENDED DESTINATION.  THE PILOT CONTINUED ON COURSE TO THE VOR AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AT AN ELEVATION OF APPROXIMATELY 3200 FEET.  THE HIGHEST ELEVATION NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 3368 FEET.  DEBRIS WAS SCATTERED ALONG THE FLIGHT PATH FOR 200 FEET.  THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT CERTIFIED FOR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90PD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90PD-1993-09-20), registration cancelled 1993-09-20, S/N 1360 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DANNY M DAMRON LONG EZ
- Registry model: [Damron Danny M LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/damron-danny-m-long-ez) (registry code 056901N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1360
- Airframe hours: 52
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Scott H. Haslam
- Registered owner: Danny M. Damron
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: W83, HANOVER, VA
- Destination: N68, CHAMBERSBURG, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,000 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 34 nm away

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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