# NTSB SEA89LA164: Cessna 182, N44888, Lester, WA, September 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1989, 22:10 local (Sep 5, 1989, 05:10 UTC)
- Place: Lester, WA
- Location: 47.2093° N, 121.4940° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lester, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2093&lon=-121.4940&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA164

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MODERATE TURBULENCE AND TRACE MIXED ICING IN CLOUDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS WITH TURBULENCE AND TRACE MIXED ICING WHILE ON AN IFR FLIGHT ACROSS THE CASCADE MTNS. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED OFF COURSE AND ASSIGNED ALTITUDE BY THE ARTCC CONTROLLER, WHO ASSIGNED THE FLIGHT A BLOCK ALTITUDE CLEARANCE. THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DUE TO TURBULENCE. THE ACFT ENTERED A DESCENT AND IMPACTED TREES AT 4200 FT MSL. PASSENGERS REPORTED THE PILOT WAS MAKING FULL CONTROL MOVEMENTS LEFT AND RIGHT, FORE AND AFT, AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT BECAME INVERTED DURING DESCENT. A WITNESS ON THE GROUND REPORTED LIGHT RAIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND CLEAR SKIES JUST AFTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44888](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44888-1989-12-19), registration cancelled 1989-12-19, S/N 18262870 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18262870
- Airframe hours: 4350
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Evergreen Flying Club
- Registered owner: Evergreen Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 1989, 90 hours before
- Departed: MWH, MOSES LAKE, WA
- Destination: RNT, RENTON, WA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 49 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 37 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 19890904033679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890904033679A), Sep 4, 1989: Cessna 182, Lester, WA, Destroyed. Unable to stay on top,hit rough air in clouds and ice. Lost control. Erratic descent. Crashed.

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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