# NTSB SEA86FA100: Piper PA-28R-180, N3714T, Lone Pine, ID, April 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1986, 20:10 local (Apr 11, 1986, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Lone Pine, ID
- Coordinates: 44.489986, -113.360153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4900&lon=-113.3602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA100

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER AN INITIAL WEATHER BRIEFING THE PLT DEPARTED COEUR DALENE, IDAHO, FOR HIS DESTINATION OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, WITH A PLANNED PASSENGER PICKUP AT MISSOULA, MONTANA. DURING THE SECOND LEG OF THE FLT HE MISNAVIGATED WHILE AVOIDING WEATHER WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNPLANNED FUEL STOP AT LEWISTON, IDAHO AND A 3 HR DELAY FOR THE OCCUPANTS WHO PLANNED TO ATTEND A POLITICAL FUNCTION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF HIS OBTAINING AN UPDATED WEATHER BRIEFING AFTER THE INITIAL WEATHER BRIEFING. WHILE ENROUTE TO IDAHO FALLS THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE PLT REQUESTING INSTRUMENT HANDLING. SHORTLY AFTER THE REQUEST THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH UPSLOPING TERRAIN IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA. DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS EXISTED DURING BOTH THE WEATHER ENCOUNTER AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3714T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23R30018
- Airframe hours: 5399
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter M. & Charlene A. Busch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1985, 93 hours before
- Departed: LWS, LEWISTON, ID
- Destination: IDA, IDAHO FALLS, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,099 total, 98 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: SMN, 70 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 19860410011389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860410011389A), Apr 10, 1986: Piper PA28R180, Lone Pine, ID, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted rising mountainous terrain in area of reported thunderstorm. Had requested IFR landing.

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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