NTSB Identification: ATL84FA080.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 24059.
Accident occurred Wednesday, January 11, 1984 in BASYE, VA
Aircraft: PIPER PA-32RT-300, registration: N36791
Injuries: 4 Serious.
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.AFTER THE ACFT LANDED, SLUSH WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE ACCUMULATED UNDER THE WINGS & LOWER AFT FUSELAGE & WAS FREEZING. THE ACFT WAS PARKED WITH THE TAIL FACING THE SUN, BUT NONE OF THE ARPT PERSONNEL NOTICED WHETHER THE SUN HAD MELTED THE ICE. THE PLT INDICATED HE WOULD RETURN BY 1630, BUT WHEN THE ARPT MANAGER WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE AT 1715, THE PLT HAD NOT YET RETURNED. ICE REFROZE ON THE RWY. THE ARPT MANAGER NOTIFIED THE FSS & LEFT A MESSAGE ON THE PHONE ANSWERING MACHINE THAT THE ARPT WAS CLOSED. ALSO, TO DISCOURAGE OPERATION ON THE ICY RWY, HE DID NOT TURN ON THE RWY LIGHTS. THE PLT RETURNED AT 1900 & ELECTED TO MAKE A NIGHT DEPARTURE. HE REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, BUT WOULD NOT CONTINUE CLIMBING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & THE ROOF OF A BUILDING, THEN CRASHED& BURNED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM. ANOTHER PLT NOTED A LAYER OF FROST ON THE LEADING EDGE OF HIS ACFT'S WINGS & ELECTED NOT TO FLY. HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS FROST ON N36791.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
WING..ICE
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT..INADEQUATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LIGHT CONDITION..NIGHT
Contributing Factors
AIRPORT FACILITIES,RUNWAY/LANDING AREA CONDITION..ICY
Contributing Factors
AIRPORT FACILITIES,RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS..NOT OPERATING
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY
Contributing Factors
OBJECT..TREE(S)
Contributing Factors
OBJECT..RESIDENCE
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