# NTSB SEA88FA154: Cessna 210E, N3ME, N Bonneville, WA, August 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1988, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: N Bonneville, WA
- Coordinates: 45.67007, -121.990112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6701&lon=-121.9901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA154

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A FLT FROM OROVILLE TO ORCHARDS, WA, THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 25 TO 30 MI EAST OF THE DESTN WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED. IMPACT OCCURRED APRX 100 FT BELOW THE TOP OF A RIDGELINE AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 1755 FT. A WITNESS, WHO HEARD THE CRASH, RPRTD THE AREA WAS COVERED WITH HEAVY FOG. HE HEARD THE ACFT COMING FROM THE EAST, THEN SAW IT FLYING JUST ABOVE THE TREES AT AN ALT OF APRX 60 FT AGL. IT DISAPPEARED IN FOG TO THE WEST & CRASHED ABOUT 15 SECONDS LATER WHILE ON A SOUTHERLY HDG. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS OF THE ACFT WERE EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3ME-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 21058672, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210E
- Registry model: [Cessna 210E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210e) (registry code 2073416) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21058672
- Airframe hours: 2035
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Everett L. Merritt
- Registered owner: Everett L. Merritt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1988, 43 hours before
- Departed: 0S7, OROVILLE, WA
- Destination: OS6, ORCHARDS, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,116 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 28 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 19880816033869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880816033869A), Aug 16, 1988: Cessna 210E, North Bonnevill, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into trees near top of a ridgeline. Low ceiling fog and rain.

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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