# NTSB SEA91FA262: Piper PA-18-150, N8982D, Dayville, OR, January 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1991, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Dayville, OR
- Coordinates: 44.460144, -119.500251 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4601&lon=-119.5003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41344
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41344/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA262

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION. FACTORS INCLUDE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN.

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE AIRFIELD AT APPROXIMATELY 1300 MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME ON NEW YEARS DAY. THE NEXT DAY HIS FAMILY, WHICH EXPECTED HIM TO RETURN BEFORE DARK ON THE DAY OF DEPARTURE, REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT MISSING. THE UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH WAS SUSPENDED THIRTEEN DAYS LATER. APPROXIMATELY 16 MONTHS AFTER THE CRASH, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DISCOVERED BY A TIMBER CRUISER IN A DENSE OLD GROWTH FOREST. THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH HAD BURNED, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT IMPACTED A SERIES OF CONIFEROUS TREES NEAR THE CENTER OF A STEEP SIDED BOX CANYON, AT THE 5,000 FOOT LEVEL OF A 7,000 FOOT MOUNTAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8982D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8982D), registered now, S/N 18-6377, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6377
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Welch, Steven S.
- Registered owner: Welch, Steven S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1990
- Departed: S33, MADRAS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 237 total, 110 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Observed at: RDM, 70 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 19910101002849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910101002849A), Jan 1, 1991: Piper PA18150, Madras, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off on local flight and failed to return. Reported missing. No trace ever found. Presumed fatal and destroyed.

## Other investigations on N8982D (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 ANC76DAH65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH65), Sep 12, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N8982D), Mcgrath, AK, 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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