At approximately 2000 Pacific time, a Piper PA-28-181 crashed into the waters of President Channel about one-quarter mile west of Orcas Island. The private pilot and two passengers received serious injuries and one passenger was killed. The pilot said he departed Sequim about 30 minutes earlier and, when he arrived in the area of Orcas Island, he found the airport and the town of Eastsound covered by low-level fog. After overflying the airport, he proceeded to an area over the water where the fog ended, intending to descend and fly in under the fog layer. Soon after leveling off, the aircraft struck the water and cartwheeled.
January 18, Eastsound, Wash. / Piper Archer
At approximately 2000 Pacific time, a Piper PA-28-181 crashed into the waters of President Channel about one-quarter mile west of Orcas Island. The private pilot and two passengers received serious injuries and one passenger was killed. The pilot said he departed Sequim about 30 minutes earlier and, when he arrived in the area of Orcas Island, he found the airport and the town of Eastsound covered by low-level fog. After overflying the airport, he proceeded to an area over the water where the fog ended, intending to descend and fly in under the fog layer. Soon after leveling off, the aircraft struck the water and cartwheeled....
Key Takeaways:
- A Piper PA-28-181 crashed into President Channel near Orcas Island, resulting in one fatality and serious injuries to the pilot and two passengers.
- The pilot reported encountering low-level fog over Orcas Island airport and the town of Eastsound.
- He attempted to descend below the fog layer over the water but struck the surface shortly after leveling off.
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