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NTSB Report
April 7, 1989 · American AA-1A · N9473L
Enumclaw, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Enumclaw, WA
Aircraft
American AA-1A
Tail Number
N9473L
Operator
The Aviators
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA89FA186
DURING A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A WEATHER BRIEFING OBTAINED EARLIER THAT DAY BY THE PILOT INCLUDED IN-FLIGHT PRECAUTIONS ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. STRONG UP AND DOWNDRAFTS IN THE MOUNTAINS ALONG WITH POSSIBLE RIME AND MIXED ICING CONDITIONS WERE MENTIONED. STRONG WINDS WERE PRESENT IN THE AFTERNOON AT THE ALTITUDES THE PILOT HAD REPORTED TO BE USING. THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN AN UPDATED BRIEFING FOR THE AFTERNOON CONDITIONS.
NTSB Probable Cause
ATTEMPTED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS INCLUDE CLOUDS, DOWNDRAFTS, HIGH WINDS.
Full Narrative
DURING A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A WEATHER BRIEFING OBTAINED EARLIER THAT DAY BY THE PILOT INCLUDED IN-FLIGHT PRECAUTIONS ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. STRONG UP AND DOWNDRAFTS IN THE MOUNTAINS ALONG WITH POSSIBLE RIME AND MIXED ICING CONDITIONS WERE MENTIONED. STRONG WINDS WERE PRESENT IN THE AFTERNOON AT THE ALTITUDES THE PILOT HAD REPORTED TO BE USING. THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN AN UPDATED BRIEFING FOR THE AFTERNOON CONDITIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAmerican AA-1A
Tail NumberN9473L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorThe Aviators
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 20 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT