# NTSB SEA82FYM15: Beechcraft S35, N175Q, Walla Walla, WA, May 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1982, 21:56 local (May 15, 1982, 04:56 UTC)
- Place: Walla Walla, WA
- Location: 46.0670° N, 118.3370° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Walla Walla, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0670&lon=-118.3370&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FYM15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYM15

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE ON A DARK NIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN A HEAVILY WOODED, SNOW COVERED AREA. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLANE CRASHED WHILE IN OR NEAR LEVEL FLIGHT AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 4500 FT MSL. THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN WAS ABOUT 5200 FT. THERE WERE BROKEN AND OVERCAST SKY CONDITIONS WELL ABOVE THE ALTITUDE OF THE CRASH SITE. THERE WAS NO MOON ON THAT NIGHT AND THE CLOUDS WOULD HAVE BLOCKED OUT ALL REFERENCE TO THE SKY. ALSO, THERE WERE NO KNOWN GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N175Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECHCRAFT S35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7441
- Airframe hours: 3400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John H.W. Smock
- Registered owner: Merlin Black
- Departed: HERMISTON, OR
- Destination: SPOKANE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 144 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDT, 15 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 19820514034569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820514034569A), May 14, 1982: Beech S35, Walla Walla, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed into mountain in dark unlighted area. No evidence of mechanical failure.

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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