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NTSB Report
June 30, 1989 · Piper PA-28-180 · N56759
Snoqualmie Pass, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Snoqualmie Pass, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N56759
Operator
Airways Sheetmetal
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA89LA127
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS OVER THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS, WHICH THE ACFT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OUTCLIMB. HE ELECTED TO DESCEND BELOW THE CLOUDS & FOLLOW AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THROUGH A PASS. HE INADVERTENTLY ENTERED A BOX CANYON. WHILE MANEUVERING TO REVERSE COURSE, THE AIRCRAFT MUSHED INTO TREES. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, WHICH INDICATED VFR FLT CONDITIONS IN THE PASS. A WEATHER OBSERVATION STATION (THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY IN THE PASS) HAD BEEN CLOSED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DESCISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT ENTERING A BOX CANYON WITH INSUFFICIENT SPEED AND ALTITUDE TO MANEUVER OUT OF THE CONFINED AREA. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS OVER THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS, WHICH THE ACFT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OUTCLIMB. HE ELECTED TO DESCEND BELOW THE CLOUDS & FOLLOW AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THROUGH A PASS. HE INADVERTENTLY ENTERED A BOX CANYON. WHILE MANEUVERING TO REVERSE COURSE, THE AIRCRAFT MUSHED INTO TREES. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, WHICH INDICATED VFR FLT CONDITIONS IN THE PASS. A WEATHER OBSERVATION STATION (THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY IN THE PASS) HAD BEEN CLOSED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN56759
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAirways Sheetmetal
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:48
Weather SourceWFAC