# NTSB SEA85FA203: Piper PA-32-300, N2282M, Bridge, ID, August 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1985, 15:27 local (21:27 UTC)
- Place: Bridge, ID
- Coordinates: 42.219303, -113.289802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2193&lon=-113.2898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA203

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - proper altitude - not maintained

## Analysis

AT 1445 MDT, THE 60 YR OLD PLT DEPARTED ON A ROUTINE, VFR, REPOSITIONING FLT WHICH HE HAD FREQUENTLY FLOWN BEFORE. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE LEVELED THE ACFT AT 9500 FT ON A DIRECT COURSE TOWARD THE DESTINATION. WHILE EN ROUTE AT ABOUT 1515, THE ACFT BEGAN A SHALLOW OSCILLATORY DESCENT WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 28 MI FROM THE BLACK MTN RANGE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A RIDGE ABOUT 1 MI FROM BLACK MTN PEAK WHILE IN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 8500 FT. THE WX AT THAT TIME WAS VFR WITH ONLY SCATTERED CLOUDS & 15 MI VISIBILITY. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ARNAV-20 LORAN UNIT & A CENTURY IIB AUTOPILOT.THE AUTOPILOT HAD NO ALT HOLD FUNCTION, BUT ITS MODE SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE 'HDG' POSITION. ALSO, THE ELEVATOR TRIM WAS FOUND NEAR THE NEUTRAL POSITION. PATHOLOGICAL & TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMS REVEALED NO INDICATION OF A PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEM. THE POSSIBILITY OF THE PLT FALLING ASLEEP OR BECOMING INCAPACITATED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2282M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2282M-1989-01-26), registration cancelled 1989-01-26, S/N 327840044 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327840044
- Airframe hours: 26523
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sun Valley Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 14, 1985, 562 hours before
- Departed: SUN, SUN VALLEY, ID
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,750 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLD, 31 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 19850827045909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850827045909A), Aug 27, 1985: Piper PA32300, Bridge, ID, Destroyed. Aircraft descended slowly and impacted side of mountain. Seatbelt not used. Incapacitation possibly hypoxic.

## Other investigations on N2282M (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 DEN79FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA058), Aug 27, 1980: Piper PA-32 (N2282M), Denver, CO, 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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