# NTSB SEA90LA008: Boeing A75N1, N75863, Salmon, ID, October 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1989, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Salmon, ID
- Coordinates: 44.999965, -113.86016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0000&lon=-113.8602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41140
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41140/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA008

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF PILOT TO PROPERLY EVALUATE WEATHER CONDITIONS THROUGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND FLY AT AN ALTITUDE HIGH ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE.

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THROUGH A CANYON IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AND BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE PILOT MADE A DECISION TO TURN AROUND, HOWEVER, DURING THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75863](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75863), registered now, S/N 75-2509, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-2509
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W670-6ACN 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard K. Sullivan
- Departed: U15, CHALLIS, ID
- Destination: MSD, MISSOULA, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19891019045089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891019045089A), Oct 19, 1989: Boeing A75N1, Salmon, ID, Destroyed. Insufficient rate of climb in canyon. Tried to make a 180 turn. Crashed into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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