# NTSB SEA91FA025: Piper PA31, N13UW, Enumclaw, WA, November 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1990, 11:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Enumclaw, WA
- Coordinates: 47.099601, -121.600494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0996&lon=-121.6005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA025

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATIONS, AND POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS. THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND DID NOT CALCULATE FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR THE PLANNED FLIGHT.

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT FAILED TO PLAN FOR THE EFFECTS OF KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, INCLUDING STRONG WINDS ALOFT AND MOUNTAIN WAVE ACTIVITY. THE PILOT OVERFLEW SEVERAL POSSIBLE FUEL STOPS, CONTINUING ON TOWARD THE DESTINATION UNTIL THE FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH HEAVILY WOODED TERRAIN AFTER THE LOSS OF POWER TO BOTH ENGINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13UW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13UW-1992-10-23), registration cancelled 1992-10-23, S/N 31512 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-512
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bramwell, Steven T
- Departed: PVU, PROVO, UT
- Destination: PAE, EVERETT, WA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 638 total, 559 in this make and model, 482 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BOE, 30 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 19901129054709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901129054709A), Nov 29, 1990: Piper STCPA31, Enumclaw, WA, Destroyed. Headwinds turbulence and icing caused premature fuel exhaustion.

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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