# NTSB SEA89FA053: Piper PA-60-601P, Lakeview, OR, March 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1989, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Lakeview, OR
- Coordinates: 42.310443, -120.369705 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3104&lon=-120.3697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA053

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN A SPIN AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  IMPROPER MAINTENENCE BY THE PILOT, AN AUTOPILOT MALFUNCTION, THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, CONTINUED FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND HIS LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - autopilot/flight director - disengaged (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ENCTRD HEADWINDS & TRACE RIME ICING. HE MADE A CLIMB FROM 17,000 FT TO FLT 190, THEN TO FL 210. AFTER CRUISING AT FL 210 FOR ABOUT 27 MIN, THE ACFT ENTERED A DSCNT (W/O ATC CLNC).  RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST IN THE VCNTY OF WERE THE ACFT CRASHED.  JUST BEFORE IMPACT, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO DSCND OUT OF LOW CLOUDS IN A SPIN. THE PLT HAD BEEN ISSUED A CANADIAN INSTRUMENT RATING ON 1/11/88, BUT IT WAS VALID FOR ONLY 12 MOS.  A PERSON, WHO HAD GIVEN THE PLT PROFICIENCY FLT TRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR AN INSTRUMENT QUALIFICATION CHECK, REPORTED THAT HE HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE PLT'S ABILITY TO FLY IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS WITHOUT AN AUTOPLT.  AVIONICS PERSONNEL AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT RPRTD THE PLT HAD ENCTRD AN AUTOPLT MALFUNCTION ON THE PREVIOUS FLT & THAT THEY HAD FOUND AN ELEC SHORT IN THE AUTOPLT DISCONNECT SW ON THE COPLT CTL YOKE.  HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT DUE TO LACK OF A REPLACEMENT PART.  RPRTDLY, THE PLT BARROWED A SOLDERING IRON TO REPAIR IT HIMSELF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFHGH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P082981634
- Airframe hours: 1297
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herbert G. Hinkelman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1988, 24 hours before
- Departed: PDX, PORTLAND, OR
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,300 total, 108 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LKV, 7 nm away

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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