# NTSB SEA85FA086: Piper PA-18-150, N4379Z, Sunnyside, WA, April 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1985, 11:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: Sunnyside, WA
- Coordinates: 46.44078, -119.910758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4408&lon=-119.9108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA086

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER COLLIDING WITH ELECTRICAL POWER LINES NEAR AN OPEN FIELD. INITIAL IMPACT WITH THE POWER LINES OCCURRED WHERE THE WIRES WERE ROUTED OVER A DRAW BETWEEN 2 RIDGES. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED BETWEEN THE POWER LINES & THE OPEN FIELD. THE ACFT WAS RELATIVELY INTACT WITH EXTENSIVE GROUND IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING & COMPRESSION & TWISTING TO THE REAR FUSELAGE. THERE WAS HEAVY SCRAPE MARKS ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE PROP SHOWED NO ROTATIONAL MARKS OR DAMAGE. THE LEFT FUEL CAP WAS OFF & SOME FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE REAR CORNER. THE RIGHT FUEL CAP WAS IN PLACE. THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS WEDGED IN THE ON/HOT POSITION. THE CONNECTING WIRES TO THE STARTER SWITCH WERE FOUND CORRODED AT THE ATTACH SCREWS, THEY WERE PARTLY SEPARATED & THE CASE WAS BROKEN. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4379Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4379Z), registered now, S/N 18-8701, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-8701
- Airframe hours: 2016
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry G. Anderson, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 1984, 78 hours before
- Departed: S40, PROSSER, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YKN, 30 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 19850407011619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850407011619A), Apr 7, 1985: Piper PA18150, Sunnyside, WA, Destroyed. The aircraft hit wires during an emergency landing. Suspect the engine quit due to carb ice. Starter inoperative.

## Other investigations on N4379Z (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 SEA02LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA032), Jan 27, 2002: Piper PA-18-150 (N4379Z), Eagle Point, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot inadvertently failed to retract the landing gear for the water landing and the aircraft nosed over.

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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