1991-08-09: Piper PA-24-180 — Joseph J. Duffy

1991-08-09: Piper PA-24-180 — Joseph J. Duffy — Muncie Valley, PA

Casualties unknown • Muncie Valley, PA, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN VISUAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM EN ROUTE ALTITUDE ON HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PILOT RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING. HE DEPARTED VFR DURING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. HE FLEW A VOR AIRWAY AT AN ALTITUDE 2000 FEET BELOW THE PUBLISHED MINIMUM EN ROUTE ALTITUDE FOR THAT ROUTE. THE PILOT HAD AN INSTRUMENT RATING, BUT HE HAD A TOTAL ACTUAL INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME OF 10 HOURS AND 6 APPROACHES. HE DID NOT FILE AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. THE WEATHER ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT WAS REPORTED BY WITNESSES AND REPORTING FACILITIES AS LOW CEILINGS, RESTRICTED VISIBILITY AND RAIN.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-08-09 Piper PA-24-180 accident near Muncie Valley, PA?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-08-09 involved a Piper PA-24-180, registration N5007P, operated by Joseph J. Duffy, at Muncie Valley, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN VISUAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM EN ROUTE ALTITUDE ON HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT.

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