Turpen RV-8 N61FS

Summary

On 5 October 2009 at about 17:00 local time, a Turpen RV-8 registered N61FS was involved in an accident near Yankton, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 October 2009 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Yankton, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Scappoose Industrial Airpark (SPB)

Coordinates

45.8867, -122.8992

Aircraft

Turpen RV-8

Registration

N61FS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bremerton → Scappoose

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10LA006

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's inadequate planning during an instrument approach and failure to maintain the published minimum altitudes, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was flying to an airport to obtain fuel. He recalled approaching the airport and noting low clouds in the area, but could not recall anything further regarding the circumstances near the end of the flight. Air traffic control information showed that the pilot requested an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance and was cleared for the localizer approach. FAA radar data and the accident airplane’s onboard instrumentation data showed that although the airplane was on course, it had descended below the minimum descent altitudes and collided with terrain approximately 8 miles from the airport. There was no indication that the pilot had the appropriate instrument approach chart available while conducting the approach. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a pre-impact anomaly. Toxicology findings are consistent with the pilot using an over-the-counter antihistamine on the day of the accident that has been reported to cause sedation. It is conceivable that the pilot may have been impaired by use of the antihistamine or distracted by the symptoms for which he had been prescribed the medication, however, it could not be conclusively determined whether the pilot's medication contributed to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.