# NTSB SEA84FA111: Stinson 108-3, N20Q, Portland, OR, May 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1984, 18:20 local (May 20, 1984, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Portland, OR
- Coordinates: 45.489837, -122.719062 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4898&lon=-122.7191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39805
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39805/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA111

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - electrical tower(marked)
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS BRIEFED ON THE WEATHER ALONG HIS INTENDED ROUTE OF FLT & VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE ACFT DEPARTED VANCOUVER, WA, AND FLEW TO TIGARD, OR. IT WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART TIGARD AT ABOUT 1810 PDT. NUMEROUS WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AT ABOUT 1815, THEY SAW AN ACFT MANEUVERING AT LOW ALT NEAR A HIGHWAY, THEN IT DISAPPEARED WHILE FLYING TOWARD RISING TERRAIN. AT ABOUT 1820, RESIDENTS AT OR NEAR THE CREST OF THE HILLS HEARD THE ACFT CRASH. THE ACFT HAD HIT SUPPORTING GUY WIRE(S) FOR TOWER(S)S AT A RADIO/TV ANTENNA FARM. IMPACT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 250 FT AGL. REPORTEDLY, THE TOWERS WERE NOT VISIBLE DUE TO CLOUDS & FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20Q-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 108-4661, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-3
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-4661
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-01 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles E. Bong
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1983, 103 hours before
- Departed: 5S3, TIGARD, OR
- Destination: 0S6, ORCHARD, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 151 total, 103 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HBO, 9 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 19840519019389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840519019389A), May 19, 1984: Univar 1083, Portland, OR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck antenna guy wire, crashed and burned. Ceiling and visibility near zero.VFR flight not recommended on briefing

## Other investigations on N20Q (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 SEA80DYM35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYM35), May 17, 1980: Stinson 108-3 (N20Q), Dayton, OR, 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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