# NTSB SEA89LA005: Piper PA-28-140, N7548R, North Fork, ID, October 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1988, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: North Fork, ID
- Coordinates: 45.410236, -114.050888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4102&lon=-114.0509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA005

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRCRAFT INTO A BOX CANYON AT DAWN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED HEAVILY WOODED TERRAIN AT A SLOW AIRSPEED AT 8,000 FEET MSL ABOUT 50 YARDS SHORT OF THE CREST.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7548R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7548R-1989-07-27), registration cancelled 1989-07-27, S/N 2822110 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22110
- Airframe hours: 2873
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stanley C. Delong
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1988, 4 hours before
- Departed: SMN, SALMON, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 125 total, 66 in this make and model, 86 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Observed at: 27U

## 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 19881001043599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881001043599A), Oct 1, 1988: Piper PA28140, North Fork, ID, Destroyed. Entered a canyon and was unable to outclimb rising terrain. Crashed into timber 50 feet short of the crest.

## Other investigations on N7548R (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW70D0177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70D0177), Aug 21, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N7548R), Pettus, AR, substantial damage

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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