# NTSB SEA86FA096: Piper PA-28-180, N42496, East Wenatchee, WA, April 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1986, 20:10 local (Apr 9, 1986, 04:10 UTC)
- Place: East Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.37022, -120.34906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3702&lon=-120.3491&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): 40278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA096

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED ARPT IN BOTTOM OF COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE ON NIGHT VFR FLT TO SPOKANE, WA. FIVE TO SIX MIN AFTER DEPARTURE ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN ON LIP OF CANYON WALL. PLTS REPORTED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE NEAR THE BLUFF LINE BEFORE AND AFTER CRASH. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND EXPLODED ON IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42496](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42496-1993-03-05), registration cancelled 1993-03-05, S/N 287405164 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 74-05164
- Airframe hours: 2206
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert S. Ditton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1985, 140 hours before
- Departed: EAT, WENATCHEE, WA
- Destination: SFF, SPOKANE, WA
- Airport: EAT, Pangborn Field, runway 29, 5,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 715 total, 700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 4 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 19860408046549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860408046549A), Apr 8, 1986: Piper PA28180, Wenatchee, WA, Destroyed. Indicates pilot lost ground reference and control departing into dark night and severe turbulence.

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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