- Date
- October 1, 1989, 11:09 local (18:09 UTC)
- Place
- Cougar, WA
- Injuries
- 2 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- CGUVUBellanca 17-30A
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 2, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 41090
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Continued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance above mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain were related factors.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
This aircraft was receiving flight following while cruising at 8500 feet inbound to portland, OR. The pilot stated he was looking for an opening to get down through the clouds, and later started a descent to 6500. The radar controller noted the aircraft track going to the north and requested the pilot report when headed southbound again. Subsequently, the aircraft impacted mountainous terrain at 3600 feet, while headed in a northerly direction.
Aircraft
- Registration
- CGUVU
- Reported as
- Bellanca 17-30A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 74-30700
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-K, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Edward Shwetz
- Registered owner
- Edward Sawetz
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · September 18, 1989
- Departed
- YVR · Vancouver, B.C.
- Destination
- PDX · Portland, OR
- Flight plan
- VFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 53
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
Weather
- Conditions
- Instrument (IMC) · Day