# NTSB SEA90LA054: de Havilland DH 82A, N353FG, White City, OR, March 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1990, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: White City, OR
- Coordinates: 42.560531, -122.920478 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5605&lon=-122.9205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA054

## Probable cause

PILOT'S DELAY IN TAKING REMEDIAL ACTION TO PREVENT AN UNDERSHOOT. HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENTERED A HIGH TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING AND REDUCED THE THROTTLE TO MINIMUM POWER SETTING. HE SLOWLY INCREASED THE THROTTLE TO CORRECT FOR AN UNDER SHOOT ANGLE OF DESCENT ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH AND THE ENGINE DID NOT INSTANTLY RESPOND. HE FURTHER INCREASED THE THROTTLE AND ENGINE POWER INCREASED ABOUT THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES 250 FT FROM THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N353FG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N353FG-2012-10-04), registration cancelled 2012-10-04, S/N DE-632, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DH 82A
- Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: DE-632
- Engines: de Havilland GYPSY MAJOR 122 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herbert W. Sutton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Airport: runway 27, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 9,844 total, 20 in this make and model, 9,540 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFR, 5 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 19900320011869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900320011869A), Mar 20, 1990: Dhavxx DH82AROBRTSN, White City, OR, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Low turning final for Private strip. Added power too late. Clipped trees and crashed.

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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