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NTSB Report
June 4, 1990 · Cessna 172RG · N5117U
Onego, WV
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 4, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Onego, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N5117U
Operator
Kentucky Airmotive
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO90FA054
THE PILOT WAS ON A VFR FLIGHT, WHEN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 4300 FEET. ABOUT 21 MILES WEST AT ELKIN, WEST VIRGINIA, ELEVATION 1987 FT, THE 1251 EDT WEATHER WAS IN PART; 2000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 9 MILES, TEMPERATURE 50 DEGREES, DEW POINT 43 DEGREES, WIND FROM 310 DEGREES AT 10 KTS. WITNESSES IN THE AREA REPORTED THE MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED IN CLOUDS AT THE TIME. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.
NTSB Probable Cause
VFR FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE (ALTITUDE) FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE TERRAIN AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS ON A VFR FLIGHT, WHEN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 4300 FEET. ABOUT 21 MILES WEST AT ELKIN, WEST VIRGINIA, ELEVATION 1987 FT, THE 1251 EDT WEATHER WAS IN PART; 2000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 9 MILES, TEMPERATURE 50 DEGREES, DEW POINT 43 DEGREES, WIND FROM 310 DEGREES AT 10 KTS. WITNESSES IN THE AREA REPORTED THE MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED IN CLOUDS AT THE TIME. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN5117U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKentucky Airmotive
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-F1A6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 10 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:52
Weather SourceWFAC