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NTSB Report
January 8, 1987 · Cessna 150 · N704HM
Ellensburg, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 8, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Ellensburg, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N704HM
Operator
Midstate Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA87FA062
THE TWO COMMERCIALLY CERTIFICATED INSTRUMENT RATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS DEPARTED ELLENSBURG AT APPROXIMATELY 1120 PST ON A LOCAL FLIGHT. BOTH PILOTS HAD APPOINTMENTS AT 1300 HOURS PST. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED IN LOWER TERRAIN NEAR ELLENSBURG, HOWEVER, A SCATTERED TO OVERCAST CLOUD LAYER EXISTED AT APPROXIMATELY 5000 FEET MSL THROUGHOUT THE AREA. ADDITIONALLY, WITNESSES REPORTED FOG & OBSCURATION IN HIGHER TERRAIN THROUGHOUT THE AREA NEAR THE SITE WITHIN A FEW HOURS SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT A COURSE REVERSAL WAS BEING EXECUTED CONCURRENT WITH TREE IMPACTS AT APPROXIMATELY 4425 FEET MSL WHILE OVERFLYING RISING/MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO RECORD THAT EITHER PILOT HAD RECEIVED ANY FORMAL MOUNTAIN FLYING TRAINING.
Full Narrative
THE TWO COMMERCIALLY CERTIFICATED INSTRUMENT RATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS DEPARTED ELLENSBURG AT APPROXIMATELY 1120 PST ON A LOCAL FLIGHT. BOTH PILOTS HAD APPOINTMENTS AT 1300 HOURS PST. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED IN LOWER TERRAIN NEAR ELLENSBURG, HOWEVER, A SCATTERED TO OVERCAST CLOUD LAYER EXISTED AT APPROXIMATELY 5000 FEET MSL THROUGHOUT THE AREA. ADDITIONALLY, WITNESSES REPORTED FOG & OBSCURATION IN HIGHER TERRAIN THROUGHOUT THE AREA NEAR THE SITE WITHIN A FEW HOURS SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT A COURSE REVERSAL WAS BEING EXECUTED CONCURRENT WITH TREE IMPACTS AT APPROXIMATELY 4425 FEET MSL WHILE OVERFLYING RISING/MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO RECORD THAT EITHER PILOT HAD RECEIVED ANY FORMAL MOUNTAIN FLYING TRAINING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:36 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN704HM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMidstate Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A(48) · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT