# NTSB SEA88FA167: Britten-Norman BN-2A, N111VA, Sitka, AK, September 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1988, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Sitka, AK
- Coordinates: 56.730758, -134.999359 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.7308&lon=-134.9994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 5 serious, 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA167

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS, RAIN AND FOG WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FLY THROUGH A NARROW MOUNTAIN PASS AND SUCCESSFULLY REVERSED COURSE. HE THEN FLEW INTO A SMALL CANYON OFF THE MAIN PASS THAT TERMINATED IN A SMALL GLACIER-COVERED BOWL SURROUNDED BY STEEP ROCK WALLS. WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT DURING A TURN TO REVERSE COURSE THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT SPACE TO COMPLETE THE MANEUVER BEFORE COLLISION WITH A ROCK WALL, THE PILOT RETARDED THE THROTTLES AND CRASH LANDED ON A GLACIER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N111VA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N111VA-1989-10-05), registration cancelled 1989-10-05, S/N 215 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Britten-Norman BN-2A
- Registry model: [Britten-Norman BN-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/britten-norman-bn-2a) (registry code 1520204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 215
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4C5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Daniel S. Baldwin, doing business as Wrangell Air Service
- Registered owner: Daniel S. Baldwin, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 15, 1988
- Destination: PSG, PETERSBURG, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,000 total, 191 in this make and model, 3,808 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SIT, 9 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 19880905036609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880905036609A), Sep 5, 1988: Bnorm BN2A, Sitka, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tried to fly through cloud obscured pass,unable. Tried to reverse course and crashed in a glacier. Was over grossed

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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