# NTSB SEA84FA071: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N29033, Humphrey, ID, March 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1984, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Humphrey, ID
- Coordinates: 44.220684, -112.369529 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2207&lon=-112.3695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39798/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA071

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ACFT ENTERED AN AREA OF RISING TERRAIN & BLOWING SNOW & THE PLT INITIATED A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION. DURING THE TURN, HE ENCOUNTERED REDUCED VISIBILITY & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TOP OF A KNOLL ON SNOW COVERED ROLLING TERRAIN. THE ACFT TRAVELED ABOUT 400 FT AFTER IMPACT, SHEDDING THE ENG & WINGS & CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29033](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29033-1984-10-03), registration cancelled 1984-10-03, S/N 28R-7931190 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7931190
- Airframe hours: 556
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jay L. Schnitker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1983, 156 hours before
- Departed: 4U9, DILL, MT
- Destination: IDA, IDAHO FALLS, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 885 total, 516 in this make and model, 731 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MQM, 5 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 19840315005849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840315005849A), Mar 15, 1984: Piper PA28RT201T, Humphrey, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into rising terrain trying to turn around in a pass due to near zero whiteout condition in the pass.

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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