# NTSB SEA83LA157: Breezy Rlu 1, N6G, Ellensburg, WA, July 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1983, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Ellensburg, WA
- Coordinates: 46.969512, -120.469665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9695&lon=-120.4697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA157

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING VERY LOW OVER A RIDGE AT ABOUT 4,700 FT MSL & GOT CAUGHT IN A DOWNDRAFT. HE WAS UNABLE TO FLY OUT OF THE DOWNDRAFT & STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6G-1985-02-21), registration cancelled 1985-02-21, S/N 5537 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BREEZY RLU 1
- Registry model: [Breezy RLU-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/breezy-rlu-1) (registry code 056016Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 5537
- Airframe hours: 1192
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lynn W. Christensen
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1983
- Departed: ELN, ELLENSBURG, WA
- Destination: WA68, VANTAGE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 6,300 total, 45 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 25 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 19830722035169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830722035169A), Jul 22, 1983: Amtrrl BREEZYRLU1, Ellensburg, WA, Substantial damage. Hit a downdraft while crossing ridges at an unsafe altitude. Impacted in level attitude. Claims elevators too small.

## Other investigations on N6G (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 CHI70DBD50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70DBD50), Jun 19, 1970: Breezy RLU (N6G), Sugar Grove, IL, 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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