# NTSB SEA84FA068: Piper PA-28RT-201, N8301T, Hood River, OR, March 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1984, 11:42 local (19:42 UTC)
- Place: Hood River, OR
- Coordinates: 45.610397, -121.580932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6104&lon=-121.5809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA068

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER CROSSING THE DALLES AT 12,500 FT MSL, THE PLT REPORTED TO ARTCC HE WAS ENTERING SOLID CLOUDS. HE SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED LEVEL AT 3,000 FT MSL FOLLOWED BY 'IF AH WE CAN'T STAY VFR WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLIMB UP TO ABOUT FIVE AND FILE IFR.' THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING IN & OUT OF PATCHES OF 'LIGHT FOG' AT ABOUT 450 TO 500 FT AGL NEAR AN INTERSTATE HWY & CLOSE TO MOUNTAINS. A WITNESS REPORTED THE TOP THIRD OF THE MOUNTAINS ADJACENT TO THE GORGE WAS OBSCURED. THE ACFT IMPACTED A STEEP SLOPING RIDGE. ON PREVIOUS PORTIONS OF THE X-COUNTRY FLT, WHICH ORIGINATED IN ALABAMA, THE PLT HAD FLOWN IN IFR CONDITIONS & HAD EXECUTED AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH. HIS LOGBOOK INDICATED THAT HE HAD FLOWN A TOTAL OF 16.6 HOURS OF ACTUAL INSTRUMENT TIME. THE ACFT'S CG WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APRX .6 INCH BEHIND THE AFT LIMIT. TWO OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE SMALL CHILDREN WEIGHING 31 & 37 LBS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8301T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8301T-2012-08-06), registration cancelled 2012-08-06, S/N 28R-8118030, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8118030
- Airframe hours: 26403
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Maxwell-Gunter Afb Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 13, 1983, 8,073 hours before
- Departed: LMT, KLAMTH FALLS, OR
- Destination: TTD, TROUTDALE, OR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 181 total, 50 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840312006519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840312006519A), Mar 12, 1984: Piper PA28RT201, Hood River, OR, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Overloaded and scud running. Struck trees on ridge upslope in IMC. Had a record of instrument operations non rated.

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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