Casualties unknown

Aircraft Crashes One Mile Southeast of Airport After ILS Approach Deviation (N8918A)

Bremerton, WA, US

On November 23, 1989, a Beech B35 (registration N8918A) operated by Bob Brooks was involved in an aviation accident near Bremerton, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT ON THE ILS APPROACH, AND HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A MISSED APPROACHED AFTER REACHING THE LATERAL LIMITS OF THE ILS SYSTEM OR DECISION HEIGHT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During an ILS approach to Bremerton, the aircraft deviated left of course, struck trees, and crashed about a mile southeast of the airport. No communication after clearance.

Incident Overview

During arrival, the pilot was vectored for an ILS runway 19 approach. After being cleared for the approach, the pilot was authorized to change to the advisory frequency and was instructed to contact Seattle approach control to cancel the flight plan when on the ground. There was no further communication with the aircraft. Subsequently, the aircraft hit trees and crashed about one mile southeast of the airport.

Radar and Flight Path

Radar data showed that as the aircraft approached the airport from the north, its track deviated to the left of course. The pilot did not realign the aircraft with the ILS course line, and the aircraft passed well to the left of the runway threshold. Impact with trees was along a course of 174 degrees.

Location and Weather

The elevation of the crash site was 482 feet. Decision height for the precision ILS approach was 688 feet; minimum descent altitude for a circling approach was 1220 feet. At 1954 PST, the weather at Bremerton was reported in part: 300 feet overcast, 3 miles visibility. At 2034 PST, 12 minutes after the accident, the weather had deteriorated to partial obscuration, 100 feet overcast, 2 miles visibility.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29877. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.