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NTSB Report
October 1, 1989 · Bellanca 17-30A · CGUVU
Cougar, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 1, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Cougar, WA
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
CGUVU
Operator
Edward Shwetz
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA90FA002
THIS AIRCRAFT WAS RECEIVING FLIGHT FOLLOWING WHILE CRUISING AT 8500 FEET INBOUND TO PORTLAND, OR. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS LOOKING FOR AN OPENING TO GET DOWN THROUGH THE CLOUDS, AND LATER STARTED A DESCENT TO 6500. THE RADAR CONTROLLER NOTED THE AIRCRAFT TRACK GOING TO THE NORTH AND REQUESTED THE PILOT REPORT WHEN HEADED SOUTHBOUND AGAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT 3600 FEET, WHILE HEADED IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION.
NTSB Probable Cause
CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE ADVERSE WEATHER AND TERRAIN WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Full Narrative
THIS AIRCRAFT WAS RECEIVING FLIGHT FOLLOWING WHILE CRUISING AT 8500 FEET INBOUND TO PORTLAND, OR. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS LOOKING FOR AN OPENING TO GET DOWN THROUGH THE CLOUDS, AND LATER STARTED A DESCENT TO 6500. THE RADAR CONTROLLER NOTED THE AIRCRAFT TRACK GOING TO THE NORTH AND REQUESTED THE PILOT REPORT WHEN HEADED SOUTHBOUND AGAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT 3600 FEET, WHILE HEADED IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:09 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberCGUVU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEdward Shwetz
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT