# NTSB SEA90FA071: North American Navion H, N285RM, Enumclaw, WA, April 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1990, 13:37 local (20:37 UTC)
- Place: Enumclaw, WA
- Coordinates: 47.10057, -121.599235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1006&lon=-121.5992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41105/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA071

## Probable cause

PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, AND INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW CEILING AND VISIBILITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE MOUNTAINOUS/HILL TERRAIN, THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT QUALIFICATION AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY IN THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVING IN LOW CEILING AND FOG WEATHER CONDITIONS. THERE WAS NO FLT PLAN FILED AND THE PILOT WAS NOT RATED FOR INSTRUMENT FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N285RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N285RM-1990-11-21), registration cancelled 1990-11-21, S/N NAV489 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN NAVION H
- Registry model: [North American NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-navion-a) (registry code 6150132) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-89
- Airframe hours: 2780
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael A. Strupat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1989, 53 hours before
- Departed: 061, CAMERON PARK, CA
- Destination: S50, AUBURN, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 25 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 19900402011929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900402011929A), Apr 2, 1990: Tmpson NAVIONH, Enumclaw, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Advised to delay as VFR not assured. Departed and struck cloud obscured mountainside. Radar showed circling in area

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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