# NTSB SEA85LA081: Piper PA-28-180, N772GW, Trinidad, WA, March 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1985, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Trinidad, WA
- Coordinates: 47.17097, -119.799621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1710&lon=-119.7996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40134/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS OPERATING THE AIRCRAFT BY FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE DOWN THE COLUMBIA RIVER SO AS TO AVOID TURBULENCE. DURING THE FLIGHT A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED IN WHICH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE WAS AVAILABLE TO PREVENT THE WATER AND AN UNINTENTIONAL DITCHING RESULTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N772GW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N772GW-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 28-2554, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 282554
- Airframe hours: 864
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne T, Stockdale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 10, 1982
- Departed: 8S2, CASHMERE, WA
- Destination: WA68, VANTAGE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 528 total, 300 in this make and model, 419 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 20 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 19850330014539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850330014539A), Mar 30, 1985: Piper PA28180, Trinidad, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying low down river gorge to avoid turbulence. Struck water, exited aircraft but presumed drowned.

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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