# NTSB SEA84FA139: Piper PA-28-181, N6950J, Burley, WA, June 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1984, 00:25 local (07:25 UTC)
- Place: Burley, WA
- Location: 47.4160° N, 122.6447° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Burley, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4160&lon=-122.6447&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA139

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-RATED PLT WAS EMPLOYED AS AN ACFT CLEANER & HAD ACCESS TO THE IGNITION KEYS OF SEVERAL ACFT, INCLUDING N6950J. EARLIER DURING THE EVENING, HE WAS SEEN CONSUMING BEER. AT ABOUT 0024 PDT, HE TOOK OFF FROM RWY 18. ABOUT 1 MIN LATER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED APRX 1/2 MI SOUTHEAST OF THE ARPT. THERE WERE LOW CEILINGS & REDUCED VISIBILITY WITH FOG AT THAT TIME. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM. A TOXICOLOGICAL CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD REVEALED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.104%. THE PLT HAD NO AUTHORIZATION TO FLY THE PLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6950J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6950J-1984-12-12), registration cancelled 1984-12-12, S/N 28-7690437 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287690437
- Airframe hours: 2564
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank Rosendale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1983, 70 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; medical: unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI, 16 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 19840621047879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840621047879A), Jun 21, 1984: Piper PA28181, Burley, WA, Destroyed. Intoxicated non pilot made unauthorized night takeoff into IMC. Struck trees and the ground during the climbout.

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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