# NTSB SEA92FA042: Piper PA-28-161, N4370B, Ogden, UT, February 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1992, 21:04 local (Feb 6, 1992, 04:04 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, UT
- Location: 41.2284° N, 111.9681° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ogden, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2284&lon=-111.9681&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA042

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER DECISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE IN FLIGHT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN THE AREA, AND THE INSTRUCTOR DIVERTING HIS ATTENTION FROM FLIGHT DUTIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT INSTRUMENT TRAINING FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE HOODED STUDENT TO FLY AN ALTITUDE AND HEADING DIRECTLY TOWARD A RIDGELINE WHILE HE CHANGED A BATTERY IN A PORTABLE INTERCOM SYSTEM BEING USED ON THE FLT. THE ACFT IMPACTED RISING MOUNT TERRAIN ON THE HEADING AND ALTITUDE ASSIGNED BY THE CFI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4370B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4370B-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 28-8416114, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8416114
- Airframe hours: 3389
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hill Afb Aero Club
- Registered owner: United States Air Force
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 1992, 9 hours before
- Departed: HIF, HILL AFB, UT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,103 total, 4,927 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGD, 21 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 19920205001989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920205001989A), Feb 5, 1992: Piper PA28161, Ogden, UT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into mountainside on dark night. IFR training flight. Student under hood CFI changing intercom battery.

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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