Piper PA-34-200T accident near Burlington, Washington, January 7, 2006
On January 7, 2006 at about 3:50 am local time, a Piper PA-34-200T, registered N36107, was destroyed in an accident near Burlington, Washington (Skagit Regional/Bay View airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 7, 2006 · about 3:50 am local time
- Place
- Burlington, Washington · Skagit Regional/Bay View · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200T · all PA-34-200Ts on the register
- Registration
- N36107 · no longer on the register · serial 34-7870294
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,685 hours in all; 230 in this make and model; 130 in the last 90 days; 58 in the last 30 days; 4,509 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,302 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, January 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 4,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental TSIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental TSIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BLI Bellingham WA at 3:30 am
- Destination: BVS Burlington/Moun WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 10, 5,477 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 100 ft
- Temperature: 118°F (48°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 3:50 am from BVS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.