# NTSB SEA81FA004: Navion A, N8553H, Yakima, WA, November 15, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 15, 1980
- Place: Yakima, WA · YAKIMA, WA
- Location: 46.5909° N, 120.5494° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Yakima, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5909&lon=-120.5494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA81FA004
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FA004

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3237  80/11/15 NR.YAKIMA,WA          NAVION A            CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 43, 1701
        TIME - 1547                    N8553H              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SEATTLE,WA                 YAKIMA,WA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: INITIAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY RADIO
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          PARTIAL OBSCURATION                                      UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       38
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          350                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      IFR
        REMARKS- OVERFLEW ARPT ON ILS APCH & HIT MTN SLOPE. ACFT NOT EQUIPPED WITH ADF & MARKER BEACON.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8553H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8553H-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N NAV-4-220, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVION A
- Registry model: [Navion NAVION B](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-b) (registry code 6150112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19801115073959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801115073959A), Nov 15, 1980: Navion NAVIONA, Yakima, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR pilot was cleared for ILS approach. Struck trees on rising terrain prior to initial fix. Zero visibility.

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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