# NTSB SEA86FA232: Piper PA-28-180, N3618R, John Day, OR, August 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1986, 07:24 local (14:24 UTC)
- Place: John Day, OR
- Coordinates: 44.420566, -118.93988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4206&lon=-118.9399&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): 40302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA232

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOTS DEPARTED HERMISTON EN ROUTE TO BURNS, OREGON. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED; HOWEVER, MOUNTAIN TOPS ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT WERE OCCASIONALLY OBSTRUCTED BY LOCAL CLOUD LAYERS. DURING THE COURSE OF THE FLIGHT THE PILOT(S) ENTERED INTO AND THEN CONTINUED WITHIN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. SOMETIME THEREAFTER, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SHARPLY UPSLOPING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3618R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3618R-1989-07-11), registration cancelled 1989-07-11, S/N 285713 (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: 28-5713
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry L. Johnston
- Registered owner: Country Animal Hospital
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 23, 1986
- Departed: S22, HERMISTON, OR
- Destination: BNO, BURNS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 184 total, 119 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKE, 52 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 19860830043119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860830043119A), Aug 30, 1986: Piper PA28180, John Day, OR, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted the side of a mountain. The VFR rated pilots may have been operating in the clouds.

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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