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NTSB Report
December 17, 1992 · Piper PA-30 · N7243Y
Bowman, ND
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Bowman, ND
Aircraft
Piper PA-30
Tail Number
N7243Y
Operator
Weather Modification
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI93FA053
THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT/MECHANIC DEPARTED SECOND IN A FLIGHT OF TWO COMPANY AIRCRAFT, TRAVELLING TO AN FAA MECHANICS SEMINAR. THE COMPANY CHIEF PILOT, IN THE LEAD AIRPLANE, REPORTED 'SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, I FLEW INTO SOME LIGHT SNOW...I STARTED TO LOSE GROUND LIGHTS, SO I TOLD JARED WE SHOULD TURN AROUND...HE SAID HE WAS TURNING AROUND, TOO.' THERE WERE NO FURTHER RADIO TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE. THE CHIEF PILOT STATED IT WAS A DARK NIGHT, AND DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS INHIBITED AIRBORNE SEARCHES. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS DISCOVERED THE NEXT MORNING. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE AFTER INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT/MECHANIC DEPARTED SECOND IN A FLIGHT OF TWO COMPANY AIRCRAFT, TRAVELLING TO AN FAA MECHANICS SEMINAR. THE COMPANY CHIEF PILOT, IN THE LEAD AIRPLANE, REPORTED 'SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, I FLEW INTO SOME LIGHT SNOW...I STARTED TO LOSE GROUND LIGHTS, SO I TOLD JARED WE SHOULD TURN AROUND...HE SAID HE WAS TURNING AROUND, TOO.' THERE WERE NO FURTHER RADIO TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE. THE CHIEF PILOT STATED IT WAS A DARK NIGHT, AND DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS INHIBITED AIRBORNE SEARCHES. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS DISCOVERED THE NEXT MORNING. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-30
Tail NumberN7243Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWeather Modification
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-B1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT