# NTSB SEA85LA188: Piper PA-28-235, N4346T, Cold Meadows, ID, August 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1985, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Cold Meadows, ID
- Coordinates: 44.999252, -113.859237 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9993&lon=-113.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40218
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40218/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON AN AIRSTRIP WITH A DENSITY ALT OF 9000 FT. DURING A GO-AROUND THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO OUT CLIMB RISING TERRAIN DUE TO THE DENSITY ALT. A DEPARTURE STALL INTO TREES RESULTED. A POST-IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED THE ACFT. THE PLT REPORTED HE HAD LITTLE 'BACK COUNTRY' FLYING EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4346T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4346T-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 28-7210007, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287210007
- Airframe hours: 910
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walton L. Law
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1984
- Departed: S80, GRANGEVILLE, ID
- Destination: U81, SALMON, ID
- Airport: U81, Cold Meadows Airstrip, runway 34, 4,550 × 90 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 388 total, 376 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19850806036859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850806036859A), Aug 6, 1985: Piper PA28235, Salmon, ID, Destroyed. Attempted go around after encountering updraft and crosswind at touchdown point. Impacted trees, aircraft burned.

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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