NTSB Identification: DEN88FA064.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 35625.
Accident occurred Friday, February 05, 1988 in ROSWELL, NM
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/30/1989
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-181, registration: N8417F
Injuries: 3 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.PLT OBTAINED 3 WX BRIEFINGS, FILED A VFR FLT PLAN & DEPARTED SALT LAKE CITY ENROUTE TO ROSWELL, NM, WITH A REFUELING STOP AT ALBUQUERQUE. WHILE THE ACFT WAS STILL 17 NM NW OF ROSWELL ARPT, TWR ADVISED PLT THAT THE ARPT WAS IFR. PLT REQUESTED & RECEIVED SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE INTO CONTROL ZONE. WITNESSES SAW ACFT FLYING IN DIRECTION OF VORTAC AT APRX 200 FT IN MODERATE SNOW SHOWERS & FOG. ACFT CRASHED ON OPEN, SNOW-COVERED RANCHLAND IN RIGHT WING-LOW, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE IN CRUISE CONFIGURATION. WRECKAGE WAS STREWN ON HEADING AWAY FROM VORTAC & ARPT. ROSWELL WX WAS 600 BKN, 1600 OVRCST, VIS 5 MI IN SNOW SHOWER AND FOG. REVIEW OF PLT'S LOGBOOK DISCLOSED 64.3 TOTAL HRS & 1.8 IFR HRS WHEN PRIVATE PLT LICENSE RECEIVED ON 8/8/87. AT TIME OF CRASH, 2/5/88, PLT HAD LOGGED 122.4 TOTAL HRS & 3.9 IFR HRS. PRIVATE PILOT CHECK FLT LASTED 1.4 HRS WITH 0.3 HRS USED FOR IFR CHECK. WRECKAGE DISCOVERED ON 2/7/88.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
FLIGHT CONTROLS..IMPROPER USE OF..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER..INITIATED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
WEATHER EVALUATION..INACCURATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
SPATIAL DISORIENTATION..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL INSTRUMENT TIME..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..SNOW
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..FOG
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..WHITEOUT
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