# NTSB SEA83FA162: Piper PA-36, N57588, Firth, ID, August 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1983, 20:53 local (Aug 2, 1983, 02:53 UTC)
- Place: Firth, ID
- Coordinates: 43.22013, -111.990211 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2201&lon=-111.9902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA162

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT WAS OVERHEARD RETURNING TO THE STRIP FOR A SECOND LOAD. REPORTEDLY, IT WENT INTO A STEEP BANK AT ABOUT 70 FT AGL & TURNED TOWARD THE STRIP. AS THE WINGS LEVELED, SOUNDS OF HIGH ENG POWER CEASED & THE ACFT DESCEND TO THE GROUND. JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT, SOME WITNESSES HEARD A BURST OF POWER. THE IMPACT OCCURRED ON THE RISING PORTION OF UNEVEN TERRAIN AFTER THE ACFT CROSSED OVER A FENCE WHICH WAS NEAR A POND. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE WAS MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57588](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57588-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 36-7560121, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7560121
- Airframe hours: 2152
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-B1CD 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: David D. Hunter, doing business as Aircraft Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aircraft Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1983, 254 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,048 total, 905 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IDA, 14 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 19830801036909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830801036909A), Aug 1, 1983: Piper PA36285, Firth, ID, Destroyed. Made steep diving turn to final. Impacted a road embankment short of the runway. Possible end of day pilot fatigue.

## Other investigations on N57588 (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 CHI77FEM25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEM25), May 17, 1977: Piper PA36 (N57588), Grant, MI, substantial damage

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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