# NTSB SEA90FA074: Piper PA28R-200, N2947R, Prairie City, OR, March 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1990, 04:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Prairie City, OR
- Coordinates: 44.700672, -118.790824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7007&lon=-118.7908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA074

## Probable cause

UNCONTROLLED SPIRALLING DESCENT THAT THE PILOT DID NOT ADEQUATELY RECOVER FROM. THE PILOTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION AND THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION ARE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - spiral - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO CLIMB, THEN SUDDENLY ENTERED A LEFT DESCENDING TURN UNTIL COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE WEATHER ALONG THE FLIGHT COURSE WAS FORECAST TO HAVE MOUNTAINS OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED WITH CLOUDS AND THE FREEZING LEVEL WAS LOW. DURING THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION, THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2947R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2947R-1990-12-12), registration cancelled 1990-12-12, S/N 28R35341 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-35341
- Airframe hours: 2272
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Archer, Frank E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1989, 52 hours before
- Departed: 7S3, HILLSBORO, OR
- Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 160 total, 85 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKE, 42 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 19900302016989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900302016989A), Mar 2, 1990: Piper PA28R200, Prairie City, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted ground mountanious terrain. Missing three months. Forcast mountains obscured.

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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