# NTSB SEA82FA142: Piper PA32-300, N9732K, Shelton, WA, August 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1982, 23:30 local (Aug 13, 1982, 06:30 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.229309, -123.199569 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2293&lon=-123.1996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72610
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72610/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FA142

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES 3 MILES WEST OF THE ARPT HEARD THE SOUNDS OF THE DEPARTING ACFT. AS THE ACFT PROCEEDED NORTHBOUND, SOUNDS OF ENG POWER CYCLING WERE HEARD, FOLLOWED BY INCREASING NOISE LEVELS AS IF THE ACFT WAS RETURNING TO THE FIELD. AT THE SUDDEN SOUND OF HIGH ENGINE POWER, ONE WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT IN A VERTICAL DESCENT TO THE GROUND. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS SHOWED A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT OF 0.111 %.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9732K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7840026
- Airframe hours: 496
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: C. Wayne Hendrick
- Registered owner: C. Wayne Hendrick
- Departed: SHN, SHELTON, WA
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Airport: SHN, Sanderson Field, runway 23, 5,050 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 792 total, 236 in this make and model, 651 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 145 °F

## 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 19820812038369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820812038369A), Aug 12, 1982: Piper PA32300, Shelton, WA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed within three miles of airport after departing in adverse weather conditions.

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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