# NTSB SEA82FYP07: Beech 77, N1814B, Richland, WA, April 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1982, 21:00 local (Apr 17, 1982, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Richland, WA
- Location: 46.2857° N, 119.2845° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Richland, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2857&lon=-119.2845&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FYP07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYP07

## 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)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING OVER A GOVERNMENT RESERVATION AT NIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN ABOUT 1000 FT BELOW THE MOUNTAIN TOP. A SEAT BELT "D-RING" FAILED AND THE  PILOT WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A SLOPE OF ABOUT 60 DEGREES. THE PILOT AND AIRCRAFT WERE FOUND THE NEXT MORNING WHEN A US ARMY HELICOPTER AIRCREW HEARD THE ELT SIGNALS. THE PILOT SUFFERED FROM EXPOSURE, A BROKEN LEG, AND FACIAL INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1814B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 77
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: WA281
- Airframe hours: 185
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bergstrom
- Registered owner: Bergstrom
- Departed: RICHLAND, WA
- Destination: RICHLAND, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 90 total, 2 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 124 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820416014159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820416014159A), Apr 16, 1982: Beech 77, Richland, WA, Substantial damage. Low-time pilot flew into side of a mountain on dark night. Flying too low for terrain clearance.

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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