# NTSB SEA89LA054: Cessna 185, N79PK, Bellingham, WA, March 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1989, 16:52 local (Mar 5, 1989, 00:52 UTC)
- Place: Bellingham, WA
- Coordinates: 48.790004, -122.410812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7900&lon=-122.4108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA054

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF LIFT DUE TO ICE ACCUMULATION ON THE WINGS, HIS FAILURE TO CONTROL THE RATE OF DESCENT, AND POOR INFLIGHT DECISION MAKING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER STATED THAT ICE HAD ACCUMULATED ON THE AIRPLANE DURING THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS FATIGUED FROM THE LONG FLIGHT. THE PASSENGER ESTIMATED THE ICE WAS ABOUT 1 TO 2 INCHES THICK AND THAT ON THE BASE TO FINAL TURN THE AIRPLANE BANKED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 DEGREES. THE RATE OF DESCENT INCREASED AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT BEFORE THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE APPROACH LIGHTS BEFORE COMING TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79PK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79PK), registered now, S/N 18503837, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503837
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Reginald T. Pfeiffer
- Registered owner: Spring, Dale M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HIO, HILLSBORO, OR
- Airport: BLI, Bellingham, runway 16, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLI

## 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 19890304003079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890304003079A), Mar 4, 1989: Cessna STC185, Bellingham, WA, Substantial damage. Impacted short of runway. Hit VASI and REIL lights. Had ice on airframe. No wx briefing.

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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