# NTSB SEA83FA189: Piper PA-28-140, N6874J, Everett, WA, August 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1983, 05:01 local (12:01 UTC)
- Place: Everett, WA
- Coordinates: 47.890594, -122.249572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8906&lon=-122.2496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA189

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE ARPT AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT CRASHED ONE MILESOUTH OF THE ARPT IN IMC WEATHER IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING. WITNESSES SAID DENSE FOG EXISTED AT THE TIME WITH ZERO VISIBILITY. THE OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORT WAS TAKEN ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER AND REPORTED AN INDEFINITE CEILING,VISIBILITYZERO IN FOG. THE ACFT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE DEPARTED FROM THE SAME ARPT EARLIER BUT NO DEPARTURE TIME IS KNOWN. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.14%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6874J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6874J-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 28-7625250, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287625250
- Airframe hours: 2383
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Robertson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1983, 43 hours before
- Airport: PAE, Snohomish County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,800 total, 200 in this make and model, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAE, 1 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 19830831045419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830831045419A), Aug 31, 1983: Piper PA28140, Everett, WA, Destroyed. Aircraft struck trees and burned near airport. Ceiling and visibility zero. VFR pilot had consumed alcohol.

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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