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NTSB Report
September 5, 1989 · Cessna 182 · N44888
Lester, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Location
Lester, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Tail Number
N44888
Operator
Evergreen Flying Club
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA89LA164
THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS WITH TURBULENCE AND TRACE MIXED ICING WHILE ON AN IFR FLIGHT ACROSS THE CASCADE MTNS. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED OFF COURSE AND ASSIGNED ALTITUDE BY THE ARTCC CONTROLLER, WHO ASSIGNED THE FLIGHT A BLOCK ALTITUDE CLEARANCE. THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DUE TO TURBULENCE. THE ACFT ENTERED A DESCENT AND IMPACTED TREES AT 4200 FT MSL. PASSENGERS REPORTED THE PILOT WAS MAKING FULL CONTROL MOVEMENTS LEFT AND RIGHT, FORE AND AFT, AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT BECAME INVERTED DURING DESCENT. A WITNESS ON THE GROUND REPORTED LIGHT RAIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND CLEAR SKIES JUST AFTER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MODERATE TURBULENCE AND TRACE MIXED ICING IN CLOUDS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS WITH TURBULENCE AND TRACE MIXED ICING WHILE ON AN IFR FLIGHT ACROSS THE CASCADE MTNS. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED OFF COURSE AND ASSIGNED ALTITUDE BY THE ARTCC CONTROLLER, WHO ASSIGNED THE FLIGHT A BLOCK ALTITUDE CLEARANCE. THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DUE TO TURBULENCE. THE ACFT ENTERED A DESCENT AND IMPACTED TREES AT 4200 FT MSL. PASSENGERS REPORTED THE PILOT WAS MAKING FULL CONTROL MOVEMENTS LEFT AND RIGHT, FORE AND AFT, AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT BECAME INVERTED DURING DESCENT. A WITNESS ON THE GROUND REPORTED LIGHT RAIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND CLEAR SKIES JUST AFTER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:10 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 182
Tail NumberN44888
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEvergreen Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-S · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind340° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:50
Weather SourceWFAC