# NTSB SEA88LA107: Beech A36, N7243X, Wenatchee, WA, June 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1988, 12:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.370803, -120.34967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3708&lon=-120.3497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA107

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AIRFRAME ICE WAS ACCUMULATING ON THE AIRCRAFT AT 13,000 FEET SO THE PILOT REQUESTED AN ALTITUDE OF 14,000 FEET. AT 14,000 FEET THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND DESCENDED DOWN TO 6,500 FEET BEFORE RECOVERING. THE PILOT HAD STATED THAT HE FELT HE HAD AN AUTOPILOT FAILURE. THE AUTOPILOT WAS INSPECTED BUT NO ABNORMALITIES COULD BE DETERMINED. TOWERING CUMULUS CLOUDS WERE PRESENT AT ALL QUADRANTS NEAR THE AIRPORT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED EXTREME BUCKLING OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7243X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7243X), registered now, S/N E-2335, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E 2355
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Collins
- Registered owner: C And S Manufacturing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: GTF, GREAT FALLS, MT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 15 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 19880608057049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880608057049A), Jun 8, 1988: Beech A36, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. Severe turbulence with autopilot on. Autopilot jammed. Went into spin. Recovered at 600FT. G forces wrinkled wing.

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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