Piper PA-34-200T N36107

Summary

On 7 January 2006 at about 03:50 local time, a Piper PA-34-200T registered N36107 was involved in an accident near Burlington, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 January 2006 at 03:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Burlington, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Skagit Regional/Bay View (BVS)

Coordinates

48.4708, -122.4208

Aircraft

Piper PA-34-200T

Registration

N36107

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bellingham → Burlington/Moun

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

SEA06FA039

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain the published minimum descent altitude and not adhering to the published missed approach procedures, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings and trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a night non-precision instrument approach the airplane collided with trees and terrain near the approach end of the landing runway. Air traffic control (ATC) communications transcripts and recorded radar data showed that the aircraft was cleared for a NDB (non-directional radio beacon) approach approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. Shortly after receiving the clearance, the pilot transmitted a position report, stating the aircraft was procedure turn inbound. Shortly after the pilot's position report, radio and radar contact with the accident aircraft was lost and an Alert Notice (ALNOT) was issued. The last known radar position for the aircraft was approximately 6-tenths of a mile from the approach end of the runway. The wreckage was located the following morning in a heavily wooded area 2,090 feet from the landing threshold of runway 10. The automated weather observation at the airport during the timeframe of the accident reported, in part, visibility 5 statute miles with a broken ceiling at 100 feet above ground level (agl) and an overcast ceiling at 800 feet agl. The minimum descent altitude/height (MDA) for the approach is 1,240 feet above mean sea level, which is 1,096 feet above the touchdown zone elevation of 144 feet. The published minimum visibility for a straight-in NDB approach is 1-1/4 mile. Post accident examination of the engines and airframe revealed no evidence of a pre accident mechanical malfunction or failure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.