# NTSB SEA93FA039: Beech A36, N7285R, Aberdeen, WA, December 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1992, 17:20 local (Dec 14, 1992, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Aberdeen, WA
- Coordinates: 46.880798, -123.989234 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8808&lon=-123.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42932/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE, AND AN INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. FACTORS INCLUDE WEATHER BELOW APPROACH MINIMUMS, FOG, DRIZZLE, AND A DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH WAS ON THE FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT OF A VOR/DME APPROACH, WAS SEEN JUST BELOW THE CLOUDS, AND LESS THAN 100 FEET ABOVE THE TREES ABOUT ONE TO TWO MILES BEFORE THE IMPACT POINT. THE CEILING AROUND THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 270 FEET LOWER THAN THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE (MDA) FOR THE APPROACH. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT IT WAS A DARK NIGHT, AND THAT DRIZZLE AND FOG WERE BEING BLOWN THROUGH THE HILLS IN THE AREA OF THE IMPACT. WITNESSES WHO SAW THE AIRCRAFT JUST PRIOR TO THE CRASH SAID THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDS APPEARED NORMAL AND STEADY, AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING NEARLY WINGS LEVEL. THE PILOT HAD TOLD THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER THAT HE INTENDED TO BREAK OUT ON THIS APPROACH, AND THEN PROCEED TO A NEARBY AIRPORT WHICH DID NOT HAVE A PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT PROCEDURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7285R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7285R-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N E-636, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-636
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA10 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wilee Corporation
- Registered owner: Wilee Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1992
- Departed: S42, SILVERDALE, WA
- Destination: WO4, OCEAN SHORES, WA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 22,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HQM, 4 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 19921213049819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921213049819A), Dec 13, 1992: Beech A36, Hoquiam, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Descended below mda on VOR approach. Struck fog obscured trees in hilly terrain. Was observed at tree top level.

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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