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NTSB Report

April 9, 1986 · Piper PA-28-180 · N42496

East Wenatchee, WA

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

April 9, 1986

Injury Outcomes

1 injury (1 fatality)

Location

East Wenatchee, WA

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Tail Number

N42496

Operator

Robert S Ditton

Injuries

Fatal

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

SEA86FA096

THE PLT DEPARTED ARPT IN BOTTOM OF COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE ON NIGHT VFR FLT TO SPOKANE, WA. FIVE TO SIX MIN AFTER DEPARTURE ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN ON LIP OF CANYON WALL. PLTS REPORTED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE NEAR THE BLUFF LINE BEFORE AND AFTER CRASH. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND EXPLODED ON IMPACT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT DEPARTED ARPT IN BOTTOM OF COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE ON NIGHT VFR FLT TO SPOKANE, WA. FIVE TO SIX MIN AFTER DEPARTURE ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN ON LIP OF CANYON WALL. PLTS REPORTED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE NEAR THE BLUFF LINE BEFORE AND AFTER CRASH. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND EXPLODED ON IMPACT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time20:10 PST

Nearest AirportPangborn Field (4nm ENE)

Runway29

Runway Length5499 ft

Runway Width150 ft

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180

Tail NumberN42496

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageDestroyed

OperatorRobert S Ditton

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180

Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)

Fatal1

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured0

Total1

Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDark Night

Wind280° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt

Visibility20 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point55 / 37 C

Altimeter30.00 inHg

Observation Time04:50

Weather SourceWFAC

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April 9, 1986 · Piper PA-28-180 · N42496

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