# NTSB SEA82DA017: Piper PA-31-350, N36PB, Spokane, WA, January 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1982, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Spokane, WA
- Coordinates: 47.630603, -117.250984 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6306&lon=-117.2510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA017

## Analysis

AFTER ARRIVING IN THE SPOKANE AREA, A FULL ILS WAS COMMENCED. IT WAS TERMINATED ABOUT 200 FT ABOVE THE DECISION HEIGHT WITH A MISSED APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT WAS VECTORED FOR A SECOND ILS. DURING THE LAST 400 FT OF THIS APPROACH, ABOUT 3/4 TO ONE INCH OF MIXED RIME AND CLEAR ICE WAS PICKED UP. THE COPILOT VISUALLY IDENTIFIED THE APPROACH LIGHTS AND THE ILS WAS CONTINUED TO LANDING. DURING THE FLARE, THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. ICE HAD FORMED ON THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS IN ABOUT A TWO INCH FLAT PLANE, PERPENDICULAR TO THE CHORD LINE. AT THE TIME OF THE MISHAP, FOG DISPERSAL OPERATIONS WERE IN EFFECT. THE PROCEDURE INVOLVED THE USE OF AIRCRAFT TO DISSEMINATE DRY ICE INTO THE FOG TO PROVIDE CONDENSATION NUCLEI. THIS PROCEDURE INCREASES THE FOG DROPLET SIZE TO PROVIDE SUBSEQUENT DISSIPATION. IT ALSO REDUCES THE TEMPERATURE OF THE SURROUNDING AIR, AND IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CAN ATTRIBUTE TO AIRFRAME ICING. PREVAILING TEMPERATURE WAS 33 DEG.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36PB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36PB), registered now, S/N 31-7405128, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317405128
- Airframe hours: 5121
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Richard Engstrom
- Registered owner: Dale E Johson
- Departed: GEG, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: BFI, SPOKANE, WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Geiger Field, runway 21, 9,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,295 total, 82 in this make and model, 4,994 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GEG

## 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 19820113000849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820113000849A), Jan 13, 1982: Piper PA31350, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. Left wing stalled on leveloff for landing due to low airspeed and airfoil icing. Impact with runway bent wing.

## Other investigations on N36PB (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA95LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA039), Jan 21, 1995: Piper PA-31-350 (N36PB), La Grande, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE FROM HIGHER TERRAIN THAT WAS LOCATED NEAR THE AIRPORT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LOW CEILING, FOG, FALSE/INCORRECT INDICATION OF…

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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