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NTSB Report
March 2, 1990 · Piper PA28R-200 · N2947R
Prairie City, OR
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 2, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Prairie City, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA28R-200
Tail Number
N2947R
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA90FA074
DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO CLIMB, THEN SUDDENLY ENTERED A LEFT DESCENDING TURN UNTIL COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE WEATHER ALONG THE FLIGHT COURSE WAS FORECAST TO HAVE MOUNTAINS OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED WITH CLOUDS AND THE FREEZING LEVEL WAS LOW. DURING THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION, THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.
NTSB Probable Cause
UNCONTROLLED SPIRALLING DESCENT THAT THE PILOT DID NOT ADEQUATELY RECOVER FROM. THE PILOTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION AND THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION ARE A FACTOR.
Full Narrative
DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO CLIMB, THEN SUDDENLY ENTERED A LEFT DESCENDING TURN UNTIL COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE WEATHER ALONG THE FLIGHT COURSE WAS FORECAST TO HAVE MOUNTAINS OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED WITH CLOUDS AND THE FREEZING LEVEL WAS LOW. DURING THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION, THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:40 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA28R-200
Tail NumberN2947R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:52
Weather SourceWFAC