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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 29, 1984 · De Havilland DH 82 Tiger MOTH DH 82 TIGE · N172VF

Keyser'S Ridge, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Keyser'S Ridge, MD
Aircraft
De Havilland DH 82 Tiger MOTH DH 82 TIGE
Tail Number
N172VF
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO85FA004

THE FLT WAS THE FINAL LEG OF A FLT FROM WINCHESTER, VA THAT HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED THE DAY BEFORE DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS WERE OBTAINED ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, BOTH OF WHICH INCLUDED THE STATEMENT THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT ALONG INTERSTATE 48. THE PLT STATED TO A FRIEND THAT THE WEATHER LOOKED 'TERRIBLE' BUT WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO GET HOME, AND THAT SHE WOULD TURN AROUND IF POOR WEATHER WAS ENCOUNTERED. WITNESSES TRAVELING WEST ON ROUTE 48 SAY THE ACFT AT APRX 400 FT AS IT FLEW BELOW THE OVERCAST OBSCURING THE HILLTOPS. THE CEILING LOWERED IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND WITNESSES OBSVD THE ACFT IN A STEEP LEFT BANK 50 TO 60 FT ABOVE THE GRND. THE NOSE PITCHED SHARPLY DOWNWARD AND THE ACFT STRUCK AND CAME TO REST ON A HIGHWAY ACCESS RAMP. A FIRE ENSUED. FOG AND RAIN SUBSEQUENTLY ENVELOPED THE SITE PRECLUDING A MEDEVAC HELO LANDING ON SCENE. THE PLT SUCCUMBED TO INJURIES IN A HOSPITAL ABOUT 8 HRS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE FLT WAS THE FINAL LEG OF A FLT FROM WINCHESTER, VA THAT HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED THE DAY BEFORE DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS WERE OBTAINED ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, BOTH OF WHICH INCLUDED THE STATEMENT THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT ALONG INTERSTATE 48. THE PLT STATED TO A FRIEND THAT THE WEATHER LOOKED 'TERRIBLE' BUT WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO GET HOME, AND THAT SHE WOULD TURN AROUND IF POOR WEATHER WAS ENCOUNTERED. WITNESSES TRAVELING WEST ON ROUTE 48 SAY THE ACFT AT APRX 400 FT AS IT FLEW BELOW THE OVERCAST OBSCURING THE HILLTOPS. THE CEILING LOWERED IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND WITNESSES OBSVD THE ACFT IN A STEEP LEFT BANK 50 TO 60 FT ABOVE THE GRND. THE NOSE PITCHED SHARPLY DOWNWARD AND THE ACFT STRUCK AND CAME TO REST ON A HIGHWAY ACCESS RAMP. A FIRE ENSUED. FOG AND RAIN SUBSEQUENTLY ENVELOPED THE SITE PRECLUDING A MEDEVAC HELO LANDING ON SCENE. THE PLT SUCCUMBED TO INJURIES IN A HOSPITAL ABOUT 8 HRS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway6
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DH 82 Tiger MOTH DH 82 TIGE
Tail NumberN172VF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsBristol · GYPSEYMAJOR1 · Reciprocating · 122
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 4 kt
Visibility1 sm
Ceiling200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data