# NTSB SEA86LA251: Stinson 108-1, N8165K, Grangeville, ID, April 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1986, 23:05 local (Apr 27, 1986, 06:05 UTC)
- Place: Grangeville, ID
- Coordinates: 45.899551, -116.130546 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8996&lon=-116.1305&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): 40505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA251

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight weather advisories - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT CALLED FSS OVER LWS FOR WX BRIEF LWS-BKE-BOI. VFR NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ROUTE, MOUNTAINS OBSCURED IN RAIN SHOWERS. PLT CALLED FSS 30 MIN LATER, REPORTED LOST IN CLOUDS ATTEMPTING ROUTE. RADIO CONTACT LOST BEFORE LOCATION ESTABLISHED (2305 MST, 04-26-86). WRECKAGE LOCATED RISING TERRAIN AT 4500-FT ELEVATION. THE ACFT WAS LOCATED BY A U.S. FOREST SERVICE ACFT ON 07/31/87, 33 MILES NW OF GRANGEVILLE, ID.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8165K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8165K-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 108-1-165, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-1-165
- Engines: FRANKLIN GA4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. T. Bernard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PUW, PULLMAN, WA
- Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALW, 59 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 19860426049009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860426049009A), Apr 26, 1986: Univar 1081, Grangeville, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft impacted rising terrain at night in IFR conditions. Pilot attempted VFR flight in mountainous terrain.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.