# NTSB SEA88LA184: Piper PA-31T-620, N234K, Eugene, OR, September 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1988, 05:58 local (12:58 UTC)
- Place: Eugene, OR
- Coordinates: 44.040729, -123.219673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0407&lon=-123.2197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA184

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT HAD IFR CLRNC AND WAS ON ILS APPROACH IN VMC ABOVE THIN FOG LAYER AT NIGHT. PLT HAD VISUAL CONTACT WITH RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT BUT COLLIDED WITH 10 FOOT TALL ILS MIDDLE MARKER ANTENNA/BUILDING 1/2 MILE FROM RUNWAY THRESHOLD, SEPARATING LEFT MAIN LNDG GEAR AND DAMAGING LEFT HORIZONTAL STAB. THE PLT DIVERTED TO A VFR FIELD AND LANDED. RADAR SHOWED ACFT AT 400 FT MSL WHEN 3/4 MILE FROM THRESHOLD. FIELD ELEV IS 365 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N234K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N234K-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 31T7620017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T-620
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2620017
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: P&W PT6-28 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Santiam Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Santiam Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 10, 1988, 40 hours before
- Departed: S12, ALBANY, OR
- Destination: EUG, EUGENE, OR
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: EUG, Mahlon Sweet, runway 16, 6,202 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG

## 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 19880923040099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880923040099A), Sep 23, 1988: Piper PA31T, Eugene, OR, Substantial damage. Sheared off the left gear and damaged left stabilizer on contact with middle marker. Diverted to base. Landed safe.

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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