# NTSB WPR09CA403: Rockwell 690, N90AT, Wenatchee, WA, August 17, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 17, 2009, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.400001, -120.216667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4000&lon=-120.2167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA403
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74549/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74549
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA403

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness, and thus clearance from objects, while operating at low altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 690A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7630515), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 690A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=7630515), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International 690A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7630515), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rockwell International 690A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7630515), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was on a local scenic flight with his family. He flew over nearby mountains, and descended to fly over a local ski resort. A family member reported seeing friends in the resort’s parking lot, and the pilot performed a climbing left turn for another pass. He began looking for his friends, and stated that he failed to monitor his altitude. One wing collided with trees and sustained spar and aileron damage. The pilot landed uneventfully at the departure airport.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was on a local scenic flight with his family. He flew over nearby mountains, and descended to fly over a local ski resort. A family member reported seeing friends in the resort’s parking lot, and the pilot performed a climbing left turn for another pass. He began looking for his friends, and stated that he failed to monitor his altitude. One wing collided with trees and sustained spar and aileron damage. The pilot landed uneventfully at the departure airport.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90AT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90AT), registered now, S/N 11272, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 690 (A)
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 690A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-690a) (registry code 7630515) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331-5&6SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-5-6ser) (registry code 01515, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11272
- Airframe hours: 5691
- Engines: Garret TPE-331-5 717 horsepower turbo prop; Garret TPE-331-5 717 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeff Obering, doing business as Kolob Canyons Air Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Jeff Obering
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 21, 2009
- Departed: EAT, Wenatchee, WA
- Destination: Wenatchee, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 3,800 total, 800 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KEAT

## 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 20090817012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090817012939A), Aug 17, 2009: Gulstm 690A, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot, [privacy data omitted] took his family for an unauthorized aircraft flight around the Wenatchee area. He took the aircraft without the…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74549. 688 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 688 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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