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NTSB Report
September 5, 1987 · Cessna 172P · N65721
Cabin, WV
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Cabin, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N65721
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO87FA062
THE PLT WAS ON A VFR FLIGHT AT 4500 FT MSL OVER A MOUNTAINOUS AREA WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED LOWERING CLOUDS. THE PLT DESCENDED TO STAY BELOW THE CLOUDS; HOWEVER, HE INADVERTENTLY ENTERED THE CLOUDS. AFTERWARDS HE TRIED TO TURN AROUND AND AS HE DID SO, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE SURVIVORS WHO WAS THE PLTS WIFE, TREES APPEARED INTO VIEW FOLLOWED BY A TREE STRIKE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN AT ABOUT 3500 FT. THE ELT ACTIVATED. SEARCH AND RESCUE PERSONNEL REACHED THE ACCIDENT SITE ABOUT 23 HRS LATER.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS ON A VFR FLIGHT AT 4500 FT MSL OVER A MOUNTAINOUS AREA WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED LOWERING CLOUDS. THE PLT DESCENDED TO STAY BELOW THE CLOUDS; HOWEVER, HE INADVERTENTLY ENTERED THE CLOUDS. AFTERWARDS HE TRIED TO TURN AROUND AND AS HE DID SO, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE SURVIVORS WHO WAS THE PLTS WIFE, TREES APPEARED INTO VIEW FOLLOWED BY A TREE STRIKE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN AT ABOUT 3500 FT. THE ELT ACTIVATED. SEARCH AND RESCUE PERSONNEL REACHED THE ACCIDENT SITE ABOUT 23 HRS LATER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN65721
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal2
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 4100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 57
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC