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May 20, 1985 · Piper PA-23-250 · CFCTC
Blyn, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Blyn, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
CFCTC
Operator
Loren Gowing
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA85FA121
THE ACFT IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN AT THE 1860 FT LEVEL DURING AN IFR FLT IN IMC CONDITIONS. THE ACFT WAS REPORTEDLY TO FLY 'VFR ON TOP' OR IFR AT 3000 PLUS FT ENROUTE TO PORTLAND.THE PLT WAS OFF COURSE FOR DESTINATION WHEN IT IMPACTED MT. BLYN. THE ACFT TRIM WAS FOUND SET FOR 'NOSE LEFT' AT THE ACCIDENT SITE BUT THE AREA WAS NOT SECURED BEFORE BEING VANDALIZED (PARTS MISSING & SUSPECTED OF BEING STOLEN) AND THE WRECKAGE HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO 24 HOURS OF FIRE AND SOME POST IMPACT EXPLOSIONS AS EVIDENCED BY THE MOLTEN METAL BLASTED AGAINST THE SIDES OF NEARBY TREES. THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE GROUND ON AN UPSLOPE WHICH WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS ACCORDING TO RESIDENTS WHO HEARD THE ACFT AND THE SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION. THE INVESTIGATION WAS DELAYED FROM MAY UNTIL OCTOBER BY STATE RESTRICTIONS DUE TO DANGER OF FORESTFIRES.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN AT THE 1860 FT LEVEL DURING AN IFR FLT IN IMC CONDITIONS. THE ACFT WAS REPORTEDLY TO FLY 'VFR ON TOP' OR IFR AT 3000 PLUS FT ENROUTE TO PORTLAND.THE PLT WAS OFF COURSE FOR DESTINATION WHEN IT IMPACTED MT. BLYN. THE ACFT TRIM WAS FOUND SET FOR 'NOSE LEFT' AT THE ACCIDENT SITE BUT THE AREA WAS NOT SECURED BEFORE BEING VANDALIZED (PARTS MISSING & SUSPECTED OF BEING STOLEN) AND THE WRECKAGE HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO 24 HOURS OF FIRE AND SOME POST IMPACT EXPLOSIONS AS EVIDENCED BY THE MOLTEN METAL BLASTED AGAINST THE SIDES OF NEARBY TREES. THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE GROUND ON AN UPSLOPE WHICH WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS ACCORDING TO RESIDENTS WHO HEARD THE ACFT AND THE SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION. THE INVESTIGATION WAS DELAYED FROM MAY UNTIL OCTOBER BY STATE RESTRICTIONS DUE TO DANGER OF FORESTFIRES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:05 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberCFCTC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLoren Gowing
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-J4A5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:00
Weather SourceWFAC