# NTSB SEA83LA086: Eagle DW-1, N8809A, Waverly, WA, March 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1983, 16:30 local (Mar 27, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Waverly, WA
- Coordinates: 47.440673, -117.349113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4407&lon=-117.3491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA086

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION MISSION SPRAYING DRY FERTILIZER ON AN UPSLOPE WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. HETURNED DOWNSLOPE AS THE ACFT SETTLED BUT WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT GROUND CONTACT. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE SOFT TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER TO AN INVERTED POSITION. THE WINDS WERE 10 TO 15 KTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8809A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Eagle Aircraft Co. DW-1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0053-82
- Airframe hours: 219
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-M1BD5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Eagle Cropdusting
- Registered owner: Hans Volker Tritz
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1983, 48 hours before
- Departed: WA62, SPANGLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,250 total, 220 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19830326015509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830326015509A), Mar 26, 1983: Eagle DW1, Waverly, WA, Substantial damage. Caught in a downdraft was unable to clear rising terrain on spray run turnaround. Nosed over on ground impact.

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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