# NTSB SEA89FA186: American AA-1A, N9473L, Enumclaw, WA, April 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1989, 18:00 local (Apr 7, 1989, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Enumclaw, WA
- Coordinates: 47.099792, -121.59983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0998&lon=-121.5998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA186

## Probable cause

ATTEMPTED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS INCLUDE CLOUDS, DOWNDRAFTS, HIGH WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown

## Analysis

DURING A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A WEATHER BRIEFING OBTAINED EARLIER THAT DAY BY THE PILOT INCLUDED IN-FLIGHT PRECAUTIONS ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. STRONG UP AND DOWNDRAFTS IN THE MOUNTAINS ALONG WITH POSSIBLE RIME AND MIXED ICING CONDITIONS WERE MENTIONED. STRONG WINDS WERE PRESENT IN THE AFTERNOON AT THE ALTITUDES THE PILOT HAD REPORTED TO BE USING. THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN AN UPDATED BRIEFING FOR THE AFTERNOON CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9473L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9473L-1990-11-21), registration cancelled 1990-11-21, S/N AA1A0273 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA-1A
- Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1A0273
- Airframe hours: 1265
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: The Aviators
- Registered owner: Ervin J. Barth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 1989, 25 hours before
- Departed: MWH, MOSES LAKE, WA
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 150 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast

## 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 19890406012189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890406012189A), Apr 6, 1989: Gulstm AA1A, Missing, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Became Missing on flight from moses lake to seattle. Aircraft presumed destroyed and pilot deceased. Nothing found.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.