# NTSB SEA90FA021: Beech B35, N8918A, Bremerton, WA, November 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1989, 20:22 local (Nov 23, 1989, 04:22 UTC)
- Place: Bremerton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.569519, -122.749603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5695&lon=-122.7496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA021

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT ON THE ILS APPROACH, AND HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A MISSED APPROACHED AFTER REACHING THE LATERAL LIMITS OF THE ILS SYSTEM OR DECISION HEIGHT.  DARKNESS AND DETERIORATING WEATHER WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT WAS VECTORED FOR AN ILS RWY 19 APCH. AFTER BEING CLEARED FOR THE APCH, HE WAS AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE TO THE ADVISORY FREQ & WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT SEATTLE APCH CTL TO CANCEL THE FLT PLAN, WHEN ON THE GND. THERE WAS NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH THE ACFT.  SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT TREES & CRASHED ABOUT 1 MI SOUTHEAST OF THE ARPT.  RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT AS THE ACFT WAS APCHG THE ARPT FROM THE NORTH, ITS TRACK DEVIATED TO THE LEFT OF COURSE. THE PLT DID NOT REALIGN THE ACFT WITH THE ILS COURSE LINE & THE ACFT PASSED WELL TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY THRESHOLD. IMPACT WITH TREES WAS ALONG A COURSE OF 174 DEG.  ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS 482 FT.  DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE PRECISION ILS APCH WAS 688 FT; MIN DESCENT ALT (MDA) FOR A CIRCLING APCH WAS 1220 FT.  AT 1954 PST, THE WX AT BREMERTON WAS IN PART: 300 FT OVC, 3 MI VIS.  AT 2034 PST (12 MIN AFTER THE ACDNT), THE WX HAD DETERIORATED TO PARTIAL OBSCN, 100 FT OVC, 2 MI VIS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8918A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8918A-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N D-2618, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35
- Registry model: [Beech B35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (registry code 1151506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2618
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bob Brooks
- Registered owner: Robert H Brooks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BYI, BURLEY, ID
- Destination: PWT, BREMERTON, WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PWT, Bremerton, runway 19, 6,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 337 total, 185 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWT

## 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 19891122046409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891122046409A), Nov 22, 1989: Beech B35, Bremerton, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees near airport. Low IFR. Owner had not autorized PIC to fly aircraft.

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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