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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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NTSB Report

November 4, 1984 · Douglas AD-4NA · N91954

Syria, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 4, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Syria, VA
Aircraft
Douglas AD-4NA
Tail Number
N91954
Operator
Jack Spanich
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO85FA005

THE PLT HAD OBTAINED TWO WX BRIEFINGS BFR THE FLT BOTH INDICATING VFR NOT RECOMMENDED. HE SAID HE WOULD FLY VFR AS LONG AS HE COULD ALONG A NORTHERN ROUTE THAT WAS FORECAST TO BE VFR DETERIORATING TO MVFR. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A STRAIGHT SLIGHT CLIMB IN AND OUT OF CLOUDS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ENTERING A CLOUD THAT COVERED THE HILL WHERE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED WEST OF THE FORECAST VFR ROUTE ON A MORE DIRECT ROUTE TO THE PLTS DESTINATION.

Full Narrative

THE PLT HAD OBTAINED TWO WX BRIEFINGS BFR THE FLT BOTH INDICATING VFR NOT RECOMMENDED. HE SAID HE WOULD FLY VFR AS LONG AS HE COULD ALONG A NORTHERN ROUTE THAT WAS FORECAST TO BE VFR DETERIORATING TO MVFR. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A STRAIGHT SLIGHT CLIMB IN AND OUT OF CLOUDS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ENTERING A CLOUD THAT COVERED THE HILL WHERE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED WEST OF THE FORECAST VFR ROUTE ON A MORE DIRECT ROUTE TO THE PLTS DESTINATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas AD-4NA
Tail NumberN91954
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJack Spanich
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-3350-26WD · Reciprocating · 3350
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time13:00
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data