# NTSB SEA88FA012: Piper PA-28-180, N15653, Colville, WA, October 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1987, 19:45 local (Oct 23, 1987, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Colville, WA
- Coordinates: 48.669685, -117.749069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6697&lon=-117.7491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA012

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ALTHOUGH THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS NOT CHECKED OUT BY THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR FOR NIGHT FLIGHT AND HAD BEEN WARNED TO RETURN BEFORE SUNSET, HE DEPARTED THE AIRPORT DURING DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE AIRCRAFT CLIMB OUT AND THEN EXECUTE A RIGHT TURN BACK TOWARDS THE AIRPORT DURING WHICH THE CLIMB EVOLVED INTO A DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A RIGHT WING DOWN NOSE LOW ATTITUDE ON A BEARING CLOSELY APPROXIMATING THE DOWNWIND FOR THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY AND AT A POINT ROUGHLY 1600 FEET ABEAM THE EXTENDED RUNWAY CENTERLINE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT; NOR WAS THERE ANY EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT PILOT IMPAIRMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15653](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15653-1989-06-08), registration cancelled 1989-06-08, S/N 287305110 (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: 7305110
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero West Flight Center
- Registered owner: Richard L Aukema
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 12, 1987
- Departed: 63S, COLVILLE, WA
- Destination: 0S6, VANCOUVER, WA
- Airport: 63S, Colville, runway 1, 2,396 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 80 total, 19 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 63S

## 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 19871022060269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871022060269A), Oct 22, 1987: Piper PA28180, Colville, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control on a turn out from takeoff. Dark night and no ground lights. Pilot was advised not to fly at night.

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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