- Date
- May 6, 1991, 22:25 local (May 7, 1991, 05:25 UTC)
- Place
- Ravensdale, WA
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N2859MPiper PA-34-200T
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report April 6, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910506014349A
- Case key
- 41315
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The in-flight breakup of the airplane as a result of the pilot exceeding the speed and stress limits for the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was the center of gravity loading that exceeded the aft limits.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While descending from 6,000 ft MSL, the pilot canceled IFR and was cleared for a VFR approach to Boeing field, seattle. Radio and radar contact was lost at 2,600 ft MSL. The wreckage was located 14.8 mi from the destination. Both wings and the stabilator had separated in flight. A performance study indicates that the in-flight breakup occurred at 5,100 ft during a descent at 205 KTS IAS. Vne for this airplane is 195 KTS IAS. The route description for the flight indicates that after landing at Boeing field, burlington northern freight must be transfered via vehicle to the seatac airport with a delivery deadline of 2230. Aft CG was exceeded by 1.68 in.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2859M
- Reported as
- Piper PA-34-200T
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 34-7870097
- Engine
- Continental TSIO-360-EBIB, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Part 135
- Operator
- Airpac Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- GEG · Spokane, WA
- Destination
- BFI · Seattle, WA
- Flight plan
- IFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 39
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 2,908 total · 63 in this make and model · 2,893 as pilot in command · 132 in the last 90 days · 43 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature
- 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- SEA, 14 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.
Other investigations on N2859M · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.