# NTSB SEA95LA024: Piper PA-28-161, N8388Y, Auburn, WA, December 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1994, 17:20 local (Dec 15, 1994, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, WA
- Coordinates: 47.310852, -122.22013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3109&lon=-122.2201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42090/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA024

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINES. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING THE PROPER VASI GLIDESLOPE.

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL TO RUNWAY 16 THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED POWER LINES 87 FEET ABOVE GROUND AND APPROXIMATELY 1700 FEET NORTH OF THE THRESHOLD. THE PILOT REPORTED BEING BELOW THE VASI GLIDESLOPE WHILE ON FINAL.

## Factual narrative

On December 14, 1994, approximately 1720 hours Pacific standard time (pst), a Piper PA-28-161, N8388Y, operated by Auburn Flight Services, and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with high tension power lines while on approach to runway 16 at the Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual dark night meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the Auburn airport at 1700 hours.

An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and interviewed the pilot following the accident. He reported that the aircraft impacted the lower catenary of the power lines at a point approximately 83 feet above ground and 1700 feet north of the runway threshold on the extended centerline (refer to photographs 1/2).

The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that she was low on the VASI to runway 16 during her approach and that she struck the power lines (also refer to NTSB Form 6120.1/2 attached). Following the wire strike, she maintained control of the aircraft and continued her approach to a landing on runway 16 during which the aircraft ran off the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8388Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8388Y), registered now, S/N 28-8116226, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116226
- Airframe hours: 8985
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Auburn Flight Service
- Registered owner: Rodeberg, Roger, T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 19, 1994, 60 hours before
- Departed: S50
- Airport: S50, Auburn Municipal, runway 16, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 191 total, 44 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 8 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 19941214048719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941214048719A), Dec 14, 1994: Piper PA28161, Auburn, WA, Substantial damage. Low on dark night landing. Struck power line. Maintained control. Landed on runway then ran off side of runway.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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