# NTSB SEA88LA013: Piper PA-28-161, N44856, Snoqualamie Pss, WA, October 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1987, 19:00 local (Oct 26, 1987, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Snoqualamie Pss, WA
- Coordinates: 47.530704, -121.80091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5307&lon=-121.8009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT WITH HIS PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CLOUDS AND MARGINAL VISIBILITY. THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY THROUGH THE AREA AT NIGHT AND ENCOUNTERED LOW CLOUDS AND MARGINAL VISIBILITY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44856](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44856-1998-08-10), registration cancelled 1998-08-10, S/N 287816029 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816029
- Airframe hours: 2024
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Yakima Aero Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 2, 1987, 24 hours before
- Departed: S50, AUBURN, WA
- Destination: YKM, YAKIMA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 253 total, 200 in this make and model, 203 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 50 °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 19871025072859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871025072859A), Oct 25, 1987: Piper PA28161, Snoqualamie Pas, WA, Destroyed. Tried to fly through a mountain pass obscured by clouds. Struck trees crashed and burned. VFR was not recommended.

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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