# NTSB SEA89FA183: Cessna 182F, N3581Y, Diamond Lake, OR, September 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1989, 10:27 local (17:27 UTC)
- Place: Diamond Lake, OR
- Coordinates: 43.150516, -121.800354 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1505&lon=-121.8004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40939/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA183

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND WHO CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FLY THROUGH A MOUNTAIN PASS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE LOW CEILING AND RAIN WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY TERRAIN IN THE PASS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT ELT WAS RECEIVED BUT AERIAL SEARCH IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE OF LOW CIG, VSBY IN AREA. WITNESSES REPORTED LOW CIG, RAIN AND FOG IN THE AREA ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 3 DAYS LATER, AFTER PASSAGE OF FRONTAL WX SYSTEM, AT 5200 FT MSL IN A REMOTE PASS THAT IS A FREQUENTLY USED VFR ROUTE THROUGH THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3581Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3581Y-2017-06-22), registration cancelled 2017-06-22, S/N 18254481, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182F
- Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18254481
- Airframe hours: 2428
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R3 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald P. House
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1989, 18 hours before
- Departed: 64S, PROSPECT, OR
- Destination: 2S6, NEWBERG, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 20,774 total, 260 in the last 90 days, 93 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBG, 48 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 19890929037129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890929037129A), Sep 29, 1989: Cessna STC182, Diamond Lake, OR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into side of cloud obscured mountain pass.

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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