# NTSB SEA88LA047: Cessna 175, N6642E, Stevens Pass, WA, February 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1988, 19:30 local (Feb 14, 1988, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Stevens Pass, WA
- Coordinates: 47.640514, -121.330032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6405&lon=-121.3300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight weather advisories - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLANNED FLT WAS VFR TRANSIT OF CASCADE MOUNTAINS IN DAYLIGHT. PLT FILED VFR FLT PLAN; WX BRIEF INDICATED VFR. UNFORESEEN DELAYS RESULTED IN ARRIVAL AT PLANNED MOUNTAIN PASS OVER ONE HOUR LATE AND WX NO LONGER VMC. PLT COULD SEE ALTERNATE PASS TO NORTH APPEARED BETTER AND AMENDED FLT PLAN VIA STEVENS PASS DESPITE FSS ADVISORY OF VNR UNDER CLOUDS THROUGH CASCADES. FLT ARRIVED AT STEVENS PASS AFTER DARK; HOWEVER, LIGHTS FOR NIGHT SKIING ILLUMINATED PASS AND FLT PROCEEDED. AFTER BEGINNING DESCENT ALONG HIGHWAY AFTER PASS TRANSIT, PLT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED IMC AND LOST VISUAL REFERENCE WITH KNOWN HIGH TERRAIN ON BOTH SIDES. PLT INITIATED CLIMB BUT MUSHED INTO TREES ON RISING TERRAIN AHEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6642E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6642E-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 56142, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56142
- Airframe hours: 2040
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce W. Fairchild
- Registered owner: Bruce W Fairchild
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: YAK, YAKIMA, WA
- Destination: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 700 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 25 °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 19880213002469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880213002469A), Feb 13, 1988: Cessna 175, Stevens Pass, WA, Substantial damage. Flew into fog obscured trees at night while trying to follow highway in mountain Pass. Advised VFR 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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