# NTSB SEA90FA039: Piper PA28-180, N8859J, Castle Rock, WA, February 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1990, 18:45 local (Feb 2, 1990, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Castle Rock, WA
- Coordinates: 46.290378, -122.950241 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2904&lon=-122.9502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41098
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41098/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHICH ENTERED A STALL/SPIN THAT THE PILOT DID NOT RECOVER FROM.

## 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 - clouds (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLT IN VISUAL TO IMC, THE PRIVATE PLT REPORTED TO ATC THAT HE WAS CIRCLING UP THROUGH A HOLE IN THE CLOUDS LOOKING FOR CLEAR SKIES INORDER TO PROCEED NORTHBOUND. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO GET ON TOP OF THE CLOUDS AND DESCENDED TO TRY AND GET UNDER THE CLOUDS. THE PLT WAS CAUTIONED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO CLOUD CONDITIONS, OBSCURED MOUNTAINS AND LOW FREEZING LEVELS. THE PLT LAST TRANSMITTED, THAT HE WAS PROCEEDING UNDER THE CLOUDS WHEN RADAR AND RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA WITH THE FUSELAGE POSITIONED VERTICAL TO THE TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8859J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8859J-1990-10-31), registration cancelled 1990-10-31, S/N 282825 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2825
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jacobson, George E.
- Registered owner: Jacobson, George E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HIO, PORTLAND, OR
- Destination: PAE, EVERETT, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,191 total, 1,815 in this make and model, 2,125 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KLS, 8 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 19900201001509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900201001509A), Feb 1, 1990: Piper PA28180, Castle Rock, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted trees and crashed during adverse weather.

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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