# NTSB SEA92LA102: Beech S35, N9015S, Davenport, WA, May 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1992, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Davenport, WA
- Coordinates: 47.670619, -118.18959 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6706&lon=-118.1896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA102

## Probable cause

POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN AND TERRAIN CLEARANCE WAS NOT MAINTAINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH HILLY TERRAIN. IMPACT SIGNATURES INDICATE THAT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HILL IN LEVEL FLIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 120 FEET BELOW THE RIDGE LINE. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED UP THE HILL, THEN BECAME AIRBORNE AND TRAVELLED ANOTHER 190 FEET THROUGH POWER LINES, WHICH SEPARATED THE LEFT WING AND RUDDERVATOR. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED OVER THE CREST, IMPACTING THE GROUND AND SLIDING DOWN THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE HILL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED ACROSS A VALLEY IMPACTING ANOTHER HILL. THE REMAINDER OF THE FUSELAGE WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. DURING THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9015S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9015S-1992-09-14), registration cancelled 1992-09-14, S/N D7947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7947
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J & M Leasing Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1992
- Departed: RNT, RENTON, WA
- Destination: COE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,719 total, 2,554 as pilot in command, 263 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GEG, 16 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 19920517015139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920517015139A), May 17, 1992: Beech S35, Davenport, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with mountain 125 feet below crest. Post crash fire ignited and consumed wreckage. No flight plain filed.

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.