# NTSB SEA90FA002: Bellanca 17-30A, Cougar, WA, October 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1989, 11:09 local (18:09 UTC)
- Place: Cougar, WA
- Coordinates: 46.189128, -122.129554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1891&lon=-122.1296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41090/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA002

## 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

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 74-30700
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

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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