# NTSB SEA85FA121: Piper PA-23-250, Blyn, WA, May 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1985, 12:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Blyn, WA
- Location: 48.0094° N, 122.9801° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Blyn, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0094&lon=-122.9801&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): 40045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA121

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN AT THE 1860 FT LEVEL DURING AN IFR FLT IN IMC CONDITIONS. THE ACFT WAS REPORTEDLY TO FLY 'VFR ON TOP' OR IFR AT 3000 PLUS FT ENROUTE TO PORTLAND.THE PLT WAS OFF COURSE FOR DESTINATION WHEN IT IMPACTED MT. BLYN. THE ACFT TRIM WAS FOUND SET FOR 'NOSE LEFT' AT THE ACCIDENT SITE BUT THE AREA WAS NOT SECURED BEFORE BEING VANDALIZED (PARTS MISSING & SUSPECTED OF BEING STOLEN) AND THE WRECKAGE HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO 24 HOURS OF FIRE AND SOME POST IMPACT EXPLOSIONS AS EVIDENCED BY THE MOLTEN METAL BLASTED AGAINST THE SIDES OF NEARBY TREES. THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE GROUND ON AN UPSLOPE WHICH WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS ACCORDING TO RESIDENTS WHO HEARD  THE ACFT AND THE SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION. THE INVESTIGATION WAS DELAYED FROM MAY UNTIL OCTOBER BY STATE RESTRICTIONS DUE TO DANGER OF FORESTFIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFCTC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3567
- Airframe hours: 2250
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-J4A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Loren Gowing
- Registered owner: Alberta Venetian Blinds,Ldt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NUW, NANAIMO, B.C.
- Destination: PDX, PORTLAND, OR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,675 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAE, 45 nm away

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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