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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 24, 1985 · Cessna R182 · N7393Y

Browntown, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Browntown, VA
Aircraft
Cessna R182
Tail Number
N7393Y
Operator
Dulles Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO85FA071

DRG A WX BRIEFING, FLT PRCTNS FOR OCNL MTN OBSCN & IMC WERE RELAYED TO THE PLT, BUT HE WAS NOT PROVIDED A FORECAST FOR THUNDERSTORMS, NOR ADVISED VFR FLT WAS NOT RCMDD. THE ROUTE OF FLT WAS PORTRAYED AS MARGINAL VFR, AS WAS THE DESTN AT MORGANTOWN (MGM). ALSO, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THE MGM WX WAS PARTIALLY OBSCURED, ESTD CEILING 1700' OVERCAST, VIS 1 MI WITH MODERATE RAIN & FOG. THE BRIEFER TERMED THESE CONDS AS MARGINAL VFR & STATED 'LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE FORECASTING TO CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE THROUGH TONIGHT & BECOME IFR BY MORNING.' THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT TOOK OFF ON THE FLT (TO TRANSPORT A PAX TO A HIGH SCHOOL REUNION). THEY WERE TO BE MET AT THE DESTN BY FAMILY MEMBERS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK THE 2900' LVL OF AN OBSCURED 3368' MTN BTN MANASSAS & MGM. THE WRECKAGE PATH WAS ALONG A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION TOWARD MANASSAS. THE PLT HAD RECENTLY FLOWN ABOUT 1 HR OF DUAL INSTRUCTION IN ACTUAL IMC, BUT HIS TOTAL INSTRUMENT TIME WAS NOT DETERMINED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND.

Full Narrative

DRG A WX BRIEFING, FLT PRCTNS FOR OCNL MTN OBSCN & IMC WERE RELAYED TO THE PLT, BUT HE WAS NOT PROVIDED A FORECAST FOR THUNDERSTORMS, NOR ADVISED VFR FLT WAS NOT RCMDD. THE ROUTE OF FLT WAS PORTRAYED AS MARGINAL VFR, AS WAS THE DESTN AT MORGANTOWN (MGM). ALSO, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THE MGM WX WAS PARTIALLY OBSCURED, ESTD CEILING 1700' OVERCAST, VIS 1 MI WITH MODERATE RAIN & FOG. THE BRIEFER TERMED THESE CONDS AS MARGINAL VFR & STATED 'LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE FORECASTING TO CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE THROUGH TONIGHT & BECOME IFR BY MORNING.' THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT TOOK OFF ON THE FLT (TO TRANSPORT A PAX TO A HIGH SCHOOL REUNION). THEY WERE TO BE MET AT THE DESTN BY FAMILY MEMBERS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK THE 2900' LVL OF AN OBSCURED 3368' MTN BTN MANASSAS & MGM. THE WRECKAGE PATH WAS ALONG A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION TOWARD MANASSAS. THE PLT HAD RECENTLY FLOWN ABOUT 1 HR OF DUAL INSTRUCTION IN ACTUAL IMC, BUT HIS TOTAL INSTRUMENT TIME WAS NOT DETERMINED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:29 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna R182
Tail NumberN7393Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDulles Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-J3C5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 4 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data