# NTSB SEA91FA020: Piper PA-34-200T, N4325X, Albion, ID, November 20, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 1990, 10:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Albion, ID - Coordinates: 42.38034, -113.60044 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3803&lon=-113.6004&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41295 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41295/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA020 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S APPREHENSION OF FLYING IN THE FORECASTED WEATHER, AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FLIGHT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - hail (contributing factor) - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor) - weather condition - snow (contributing factor) - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - flight control,stabilator - overload - flight control,stabilator - separation - wing - overload - wing - separation - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis DURING A WX BRIEFING THE PILOT WAS BRIEFED THAT A COLD FRONT WX SYSTEM WAS MOVING THROUGH THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT, WITH MODERATE ICING IN CLOUDS TO 16000 FT. THE PILOT HAD TO RETURN TO THE RAMP AFTER TAXIING TO TAKEOFF DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. AS THE BATTERY WAS BEING RECHARGED, THE PILOT REPORTEDLY SEEMED APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE WX CONDITIONS AND TOLD THE MECHANIC TO FEEL FREE TO WRITE UP ANY DISCREPANCY THAT WOULD CANCEL THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT ALSO STATED HE DIDN'T LIKE FLYING IN THE KIND OF WEATHER THAT WAS IN THE AREA. ABOUT 50 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE THAT PILOT RADIOED THAT HE WAS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WERE RECEIVED. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA OF STEEP MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THAT RISES TO OVER 9000 FT MSL. EVIDENCE SHOWED THAT THE WINGS AND STABILATORS SEPARATED PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. LEADING EDGE SURFACES OF THE AIRPLANE EXIBITED PITTING AND ABRASION OF PAINT, WITH AREAS OF PAINT STRIPPED DOWN TO BARE METAL. BLIZZARD WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4325X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4325X-2012-08-09), registration cancelled 2012-08-09, S/N 34-7670025, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7670025 - Airframe hours: 8829 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0-360-EB1B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Regional Express - Registered owner: Regional Express - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 26, 1990, 41 hours before - Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Destination: TWF, TWIN FALLS, ID - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,339 total, 37 in this make and model, 1,052 as pilot in command, 179 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 18 knots - Visibility: 1 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BYI, 12 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 19901120057939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901120057939A), Nov 20, 1990: Piper PA34200T, Albion, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control in area of severe turbulence hail icing and heavy snow. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.