# NTSB SEA91FA099: Piper PA-34-200T, N2859M, Ravensdale, WA, May 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1991, 22:25 local (May 7, 1991, 05:25 UTC)
- Place: Ravensdale, WA
- Coordinates: 47.339191, -121.919464 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3392&lon=-121.9195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41315/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA099

## 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

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - airspeed(vne) - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, other person (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
  - flight control,stabilator - overload
  - flight control,stabilator - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2859M-1992-11-10), registration cancelled 1992-11-10, S/N 347870097 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7870097
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910506014349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910506014349A), May 6, 1991: Piper PA34200T, Ravensdale, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Study indicates in flight breakup of aircraft at 5100 ft on descent at 205 knots. Handbook states vne as 195 knots

## Other investigations on N2859M (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA83FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA054), Feb 5, 1983: Piper PA-34-200T (N2859M), Seattle, WA, substantial damage

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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