# NTSB SEA90FA098: Piper PA-28-161, N47472, Susanville, CA, June 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1990, 20:10 local (Jun 8, 1990, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Susanville, CA
- Coordinates: 40.570663, -120.609428 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5707&lon=-120.6094&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): 41112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA098

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION ON THE PART OF THE PILOT WHEN HE MISJUDGED THE AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO RISING TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not understood, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28-161 DEPARTED SUSANVILLE, CA ON THE RETURN LEG OF A FLIGHT THAT ORIGINATED IN KLAMATH FALLS, OR. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AND BURNED APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF SUSANVILLE, APPROXIMATELY ON A DIRECT COURSE TOWARDS KLAMATH FALLS, ABOUT 100-200 FEET BELOW SUSANVILLE PEAK. THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER PERISHED. WEATHER WAS EXCELLENT VFR AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND THE PILOT HAD STATED THAT HE HAD FOUR HOURS FUEL ON BOARD AT THE TIME OF HIS TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47472](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47472-1990-12-12), registration cancelled 1990-12-12, S/N 287816077 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-78-16077
- Airframe hours: 1950
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary J. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1990, 6 hours before
- Departed: 1Q2, SUSANVILLE, CA
- Destination: LMT, KLAMATH FALLS, OR
- Airport: 1Q2, Susanville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 225 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 1Q2, 7 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 19900607019359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900607019359A), Jun 7, 1990: Piper PA28161, Susanville, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Failed to clear crest of a mountain saddle on climbout. Apparently failed to judge performance in high altitude.

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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