# NTSB SEA86LA063: Navion A, N340H, White Salmon, WA, February 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1986, 12:32 local (20:32 UTC)
- Place: White Salmon, WA
- Location: 45.7285° N, 121.4854° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of White Salmon, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7285&lon=-121.4854&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA063

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - carburetor heat control,linkage - loose (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING IFR CRUISE, A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE PILOT COMPLIED WITH EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR POWER LOSS BUT WHEN HE REACHED DOWN TO SWITCH THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENTERED INTO A NOSE DOWN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE, DESCENDING AT THE RATE OF 2,500 FEET PER MINUTE. DURING RECOVERY, THE AIRCRAFT BROKE OUT OF CLOUDS AT 1200 FEET AGL. DURING ATTEMPT TO LAND ON A CURVING ROAD, THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO AVOID POWER LINES. A HARD LANDING RESULTED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A LOOSE CARBURETOR HEAT HOUSING CLAMP, RESTRICTING TRAVEL OF THE CARB HEAT CONTROL AND THAT AUTOMOTIVE/MIXED FUEL WAS BEING USED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N340H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NAVION A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4-58
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn E. Armstrong
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1985
- Departed: 50R8, STAYTON, OR
- Destination: OMK, OMAK, WA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 32 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F

## 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 19860221004949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860221004949A), Feb 21, 1986: Tmpson NAVION/, White Salmon, WA, Substantial damage. Loss of power with a steep spiral through clouds due to spatial disorientation. Hard landing. Carb heat housing loose

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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