# NTSB SEA85LA231: Mitchell U2, N58209, Prineville, OR, September 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1985, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Prineville, OR
- Coordinates: 44.100379, -120.659553 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1004&lon=-120.6596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA231

## Analysis

PLT WAS ON SECOND FLT IN NEWLY COMPLETED, REGISTERED ULTRALIGHT. CRAFT HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED A CERTIFICATE  OF AIRWORTHINESS.  AFTER TAKEOFF, ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CIRCLE AIRPORT, THEN DESCEND OUT OF SIGHT BEHIND TREES. INVESTIGATION SHOWED STEEEP, NOSEDOWN IMPACT. AIRFRAME DESTRUCTION PRECLUDED ESTABLISHMENT OF PRE-IMPACT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OR ABSENCE OF CONTROL MALFUNCTOIN. NO POWER PLANT DEFECTS FOUND. PLT WAS WEARING PARACHUTE, WHICH WAS FOUND PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF MEDICAL IMPAIRMENT IN 64-YR-OLD PLT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N58209 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MITCHELL U2
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: U513
- Engines: HONDA 250CC 18 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William S. Whiting, Jr.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 45 total, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 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 19850930048209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850930048209A), Sep 30, 1985: Amtr U2, Prineville, OR, Destroyed. Impacted ground in steep nose down attitude. No airworthiness certificate. Pilot had consumed alcohol.

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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