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Casualties unknown

VFR Flight in Instrument Conditions Ends in Terrain Impact (N62701)

Warren Grove, NJ, US

On June 18, 1994, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N62701) operated by Barbosa, Francisco was involved in an aviation accident near Warren Grove, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT DISREGARDED WEATHER EVALUATIONS, ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane on a cross-country flight without a filed flight plan departed and was tracked on radar for nine minutes before making a right turn and descending into terrain. The pilot had received weather briefings advising VFR not recommended.

Incident Summary

An airplane departed on a cross-country flight without a filed flight plan. Radar data tracked the aircraft for approximately nine minutes before it entered a right-hand turn and descended into terrain. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time.

Flight Details

Prior to departure, the pilot received multiple weather briefings from a flight service station. During these briefings, the pilot was told that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. Despite this advisory, the flight proceeded. The aircraft was owned by the passenger, who held a private pilot certificate and typically occupied the left front seat during flight. However, the seating positions of the two occupants at the time of the accident were not determined.

Investigation Findings

Post-accident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies. The investigation did not establish a probable cause for the accident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Jun 1994 Piper PA-23-250 accident near Warren Grove, NJ?

An airplane on a cross-country flight without a filed flight plan departed and was tracked on radar for nine minutes before making a right turn and descending into terrain. The pilot had received weather briefings advising VFR not recommended.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Jun 1994 involved a Piper PA-23-250, registration N62701, operated by Barbosa, Francisco, at Warren Grove, NJ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT DISREGARDED WEATHER EVALUATIONS, ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01447. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.