# NTSB SEA86FA066: Piper PA34-200T, N8305C, Antelope, OR, February 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1986, 18:55 local (Feb 26, 1986, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Antelope, OR
- Coordinates: 44.950519, -120.650588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9505&lon=-120.6506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA066

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT WAS OPERATING VFR ON TOP AT 11000 FEET, COMMENCED DESCENT TO DESTINATION 34 MILES OUT. PLT RPTED FIELD IN SIGHT 16 MILES OUT, PASSING 6500 FT, CANCELLED FLIGHT PLAN. ACFT IMPACTED RIDGE AT 4100 FEET MSL 7 MILES FROM DESTINATION. DARK NIGHT CONDS EXISTED, WITH OVERCAST ABOVE BROKEN CLOUDS. RESIDENTS REPORTED MODERATE DRIZZLE IN AREA AT TIME OF CRASH. FORECAST INCLUDED MODERATE TURBULENCE BELOW 15000 FEET WITH STRONG UP AND DOWN DRAFTS NEAR MOUNTAINS, MOUNTAINS OBSCURED IN CLOUDS AND PRECIPITATION. RADAR TRACK SHOWED ACFT SPD DURING DESCENT IN EXCESS OF 200 KTS, RATE OF DESCENT UP TO 1200 FEET PER MINUTE. WRECKAGE INDICATES ACFT STRUCK STEEP ROCKY SLOPE IN NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE WITH POWER ON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8305C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 347670123
- Airframe hours: 2120
- Engines: CONTINENTAL L-TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert C. Depenbrock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: PDX, PORTLAND, OR
- Destination: 350R, RAJNEESHPURAM, OR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,743 total, 20 in this make and model, 5,375 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 43 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 19860225003659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860225003659A), Feb 25, 1986: Piper PA34200T, Antelope, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Sturck mountain side on descent to airport. Had cancelled flight plan but drizzle and downdrafts present.

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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