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NTSB Report
January 1, 1991 · Piper PA-18-150 · N8982D
Dayville, OR
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 1, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Dayville, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N8982D
Operator
Welch Steven S
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA91FA262
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.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION. FACTORS INCLUDE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN8982D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWelch Steven S
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 4 kt
Visibility45 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 18 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC