# NTSB DEN88FA213: Piper PA-22-150, N3863P, Curtin, OR, September 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1988, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Curtin, OR
- Location: 43.7223° N, 123.2120° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Curtin, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7223&lon=-123.2120&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA213

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON 9/20/88, THE PLT & HIS WIFE DEPD MONTAQUE, CA, ON A FLT TO SILVERDALE, WA, WITH A PLANNED REFUELING STOP AT COTTAGE GROVE, OR.  WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE, A SEARCH WAS MADE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. ON 1/24/90, A TREE PLANTING CREW FOUND THE ACFT, WHERE IT HAD HIT TREES & CRASHED ON WOODED/HILLY TERRAIN. THE PLANE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY IMPACT & FIRE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND. ABOUT 25 MI NORTH AT EUGENE, OR, THE 0809 WX WAS: PARTIALLY OBSCURED, 300' OVERCAST, VISIBILILTY 1-1/2 MI WITH FOG. NO RECORD WAS FOUND OF A PREFLT WEATHER BRIEFING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3863P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3863P-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 22-3552, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3552
- Airframe hours: 1756
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert T. White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988
- Departed: 1O5, MONTAQUE, CA
- Destination: 618, COTTAGE GROVE, OR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBG, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880920048989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880920048989A), Sep 20, 1988: Piper PA22150, Curtin, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot lost control in area of low ceiling and visibility. Pilot had flown 150 hours in six years.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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