# NTSB SEA82FA117: Piper PA-28-161, N2146Y, Portland, OR, July 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1982, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Portland, OR
- Coordinates: 45.580696, -122.699943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5807&lon=-122.6999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FA117

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - seat belt - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT, ENROLLED IN A COURSE FOR A COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE, WAS SCHEDULED FOR A SOLO FLIGHT FROM SEATTLE TO BREMERTON, WASHINGTON AND RETURN. HE DEPARTED AT ABOUT 1300 PDT. AT ABOUT 1635 PDT, RESIDENTS NEAR THE CRASH SITE REPORTED THAT THEY SAW AND HEARD A LOW FLYING AIRCRAFT CIRCLE THE AREA SEVERAL TIMES, THEN CRASH. ONE WITNESS REPORTED THE ENGINE WAS SPUTTERING AS THE PLANE PASSED OVER HIS HOUSE. THE PLANE CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. THE LEFT WING WAS TORN FROM THE FUSELAGE, BUT A WITNESS REPORTED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE LEFT TANK. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK AND THE PLANE HAD FLOWN 3 TO 5 HRS. BASED ON THE FLIGHT MANUAL, THE PLANE WOULD HAVE USED 21 TO 31 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE CAPACITY OF EACH TANK WAS 24 USABLE GALLONS. A TOXICOLOGICAL TEST OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD REVEALED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF .303%. THE POLICE AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL STATED THAT THE PILOT'S SEAT BELT WAS NOT FASTENED WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE CRASH SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2146Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2146Y-2012-08-24), registration cancelled 2012-08-24, S/N 28-7916358, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287916358
- Airframe hours: 1765
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Seattle Flight Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: Same M & Mary E. Storey
- Departed: BF1, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: PWT, BREMERTON, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 124 total, 7 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 171 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 7 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 19820718029389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820718029389A), Jul 18, 1982: Piper PA28161, Portland, OR, Destroyed. Aircraft was observed flying low in area previous to crash. Blood alcohol. 303 percent mg.

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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