# NTSB NYC93FA012: Piper PA-32-260, N31953, Pulaski, VA, October 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1992, 20:28 local (Oct 9, 1992, 00:28 UTC)
- Place: Pulaski, VA
- Coordinates: 37.049812, -80.760429 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0498&lon=-80.7604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93FA012

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER DECISION BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ACTIONS OF THE RADAR CONTROLLER WHOSE VECTORS AND NO-GYRO VECTORS MOST LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO THE PILOT'S DISORIENTATION, THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - improper, atc personnel(artcc) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT 1930, THE PLT CONTACTED FSS & REQUESTED DESTINATION WX. HE WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. AT 2017, HE CONTACTED ATC CENTER & REPORTED THAT HE '...RAN INTO A LITTLE SOUP...' AT 2020, HE REPORTED 'I'VE LOST UH MY TURN INDICATOR...' THE NON-PILOT-RATED ATC CONTROLLER THEN BEGAN PROVIDING NO-GYRO VECTORS TO THE PILOT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTROLLER DID NOT PROVIDE THE MINIUM VECTORING ALTITUDE TO THE PILOT. AT 2028, THE PILOT REPORTED '...WE'RE HAVING SOME...TROUBLE...' THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED COMING DOWN AT ABOUT A 45 DEG ANGLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31953](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31953-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N 32-7800008, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7800008
- Engines: LYCOMING O-549-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Tar Heel Railroad Inc.
- Registered owner: Tar Heel Railroad Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1992
- Departed: 410, WILLIAMSON, WV
- Destination: 1NT, WINSTON-SALEM, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLF, 40 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 19921008041429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921008041429A), Oct 8, 1992: Piper PA32260, Pulaski, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Continued into IMC a night. Asked help. Unable hold heading. Report lost gyros. Lost control.

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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