# NTSB SEA88LA152: Cassutt III, N2984G, Shelton, WA, August 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1988, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.229164, -123.200653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2292&lon=-123.2007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT HAD BEEN RESTORED AND RECERTIFICATED SINCE LAST FLIGHT IN 1969.  ON INITIAL TEST FLIGHT TAKEOFF, PLT IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO AND FLEW LOW, SLOW LANDING PATTERN CIRCUIT WITH SOUNDS OF REDUCED POWER, COLLIDING WITH TREES IN FINAL APPROACH TURN.  INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL WHETHER POWER LOSS OCCURRED OR PLT ELECTED TO FLY PATTERN WITH REDUCED POWER. THE ACFT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ON 6/19/88 AND WAS REISSUED A CERT OF AIRWORTHINESS ON 7/21/88. THE ACC FLT WAS THE 1ST FLT SINCE 1969 FOR THE ACFT. ON 8/12/88 A HIGH SPEED, FULL POWER TAXI TEST WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE ACFT BRIEFLY AIRBORNE. POST ACC EXTERNAL EXAM OF THE ENG SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE. THE PROP SHOWED MINIMAL ROTATION EVIDENCE AFTER IMPACT. THE ENG HAD BEEN RUN UP TO 3400 RPM ON 8/12 WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2984G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2984G-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 8140, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CASSUTT III
- Registry model: [Cassutt III](https://openairdocs.org/model/cassutt-iii) (registry code 05601FH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 8140
- Airframe hours: 56
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald R. Emery
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1988
- Departed: SHN
- Destination: SHN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 315 total, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI, 21 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 19880813032529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880813032529A), Aug 13, 1988: Amtrsx CASSUTT3, Shelton, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Turned final low and slow. Struck trees. Was first test flight for pilot familiarization.

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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