# NTSB SEA89FA006: Beech B-99A, N803BA, East Sound, WA, October 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1988, 09:52 local (16:52 UTC)
- Place: East Sound, WA
- Coordinates: 48.619239, -122.870857 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6192&lon=-122.8709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA006

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CREW ELECTED TO DEPART THE AIRPORT UNDER A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE. WX AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WAS 700 FT OVC WITH VISIBILITY 1 AND 1/4 MILES. THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WAS WITHIN 25 NAUTICAL MILES OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND WAS REPORTING A BKN CEILING OF 6 TO 800 FT AND 3 MILES VISIBILITY. THE CREW WAS IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING AN IFR CLEARANCE WHEN THE PILOT ON THE CONTROLS OBSERVED TREES IN THE FLIGHT PATH. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN. THE CREW SUBSEQUENTLY OBTAINED AN IFR CLEARANCE AND RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT UNEVENTFULLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N803BA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B-99A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U-133
- Airframe hours: 27745
- Engines: P&W PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Beechcraft Acceptance Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 18, 1988, 62 hours before
- Departed: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA
- Destination: ORS, ORCAS ISLAND, WA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,320 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,668 as pilot in command, 247 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLI, 18 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 19881004044229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881004044229A), Oct 4, 1988: Beech B99, Orcas Island, WA, Substantial damage. Ran into lower visibility and ceiling. Began a climbing t urn to go back and hit tree tops on Island. Landed safely

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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