# NTSB Accident IAD96FA050
> **Piper PA-23-250** · 1996-03-18 · MARION, VA, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** IAD96FA050
- **Event ID:** 20001208X05410
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1996-03-18
- **Location:** MARION, VA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 36.829677, -81.510498
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 1
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Piper
- **Model:** PA-23-250
- **Registration:** N54839
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 2
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAWN
- **Weather:** IMC
## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance during the instrument approach (FAF/Outer Marker to Threshold IFR), which resulted in the in-flight collision with trees.  A related factor was the foggy weather conditions.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=IAD96FA050) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*