# NTSB SEA89FA010: Piper PA-28-180, N8975J, Sun Valley, ID, October 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1988, 18:35 local (Oct 12, 1988, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Sun Valley, ID
- Coordinates: 43.689296, -114.339027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6893&lon=-114.3390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40906
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40906/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA010

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLEW INTO A BOX CANYON AT A LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND NEAR 9000 FT MSL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB OVER A RIDGELINE, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED, ENTERED A SPIN, AND DESCENDED NOSE DOWN UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8975J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8975J-2012-07-31), registration cancelled 2012-07-31, S/N 28-2998, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2998
- Airframe hours: 2456
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sun Valley Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Sun Valley Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1988, 62 hours before
- Departed: SUN, HAILEY, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 132 total, 10 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUN, 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 19881012046169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881012046169A), Oct 12, 1988: Piper PA28180, Sun Valley, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Buzzed area then flew up a canyon at low altitude unable to outclimb terrain,pulled up stalled and crashed in trees

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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