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NTSB Report
May 7, 1991 · Piper PA-34-200T · N2859M
Ravensdale, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Ravensdale, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N2859M
Operator
Airpac Airlines
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA91FA099
WHILE DESCENDING FROM 6,000 FT MSL, THE PILOT CANCELED IFR AND WAS CLEARED FOR A VFR APPROACH TO BOEING FIELD, SEATTLE. RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT 2,600 FT MSL. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 14.8 MI FROM THE DESTINATION. BOTH WINGS AND THE STABILATOR HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. A PERFORMANCE STUDY INDICATES THAT THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OCCURRED AT 5,100 FT DURING A DESCENT AT 205 KTS IAS. VNE FOR THIS AIRPLANE IS 195 KTS IAS. THE ROUTE DESCRIPTION FOR THE FLIGHT INDICATES THAT AFTER LANDING AT BOEING FIELD, BURLINGTON NORTHERN FREIGHT MUST BE TRANSFERED VIA VEHICLE TO THE SEATAC AIRPORT WITH A DELIVERY DEADLINE OF 2230. AFT CG WAS EXCEEDED BY 1.68 IN.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE AIRPLANE AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT EXCEEDING THE SPEED AND STRESS LIMITS FOR THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CENTER OF GRAVITY LOADING THAT EXCEEDED THE AFT LIMITS.
Full Narrative
WHILE DESCENDING FROM 6,000 FT MSL, THE PILOT CANCELED IFR AND WAS CLEARED FOR A VFR APPROACH TO BOEING FIELD, SEATTLE. RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT 2,600 FT MSL. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 14.8 MI FROM THE DESTINATION. BOTH WINGS AND THE STABILATOR HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. A PERFORMANCE STUDY INDICATES THAT THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OCCURRED AT 5,100 FT DURING A DESCENT AT 205 KTS IAS. VNE FOR THIS AIRPLANE IS 195 KTS IAS. THE ROUTE DESCRIPTION FOR THE FLIGHT INDICATES THAT AFTER LANDING AT BOEING FIELD, BURLINGTON NORTHERN FREIGHT MUST BE TRANSFERED VIA VEHICLE TO THE SEATAC AIRPORT WITH A DELIVERY DEADLINE OF 2230. AFT CG WAS EXCEEDED BY 1.68 IN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:25 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN2859M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAirpac Airlines
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-EBIB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind150° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:50
Weather SourceWFAC