Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA93FA071

OAKLEY, UT, USA

Aircraft #1

N3103P

CESSNA 402B

Analysis

THE FLIGHT TOOK OFF AT 0500 HOURS IN DARK VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. RADAR DATA INDICATES THAT THE FLIGHT WAS HEADING IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION, TOWARDS ITS DESTINATION AND HAD CLIMBED TO AND LEVELED OFF AT 12,500 FEET. THREE MINUTES PRIOR TO THE LAST IDENTIFIED RADAR TARGET, THE PILOT OBTAINED A PARTIAL WEATHER BRIEFING, FOR THE DESTINATION AIRPORTS, FROM THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA OF HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE FLIGHT COLLIDED WITH A RIDGE LINE AT THE 12,400 FOOT LEVEL. THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIDGE AT 11,400 FEET. DURING THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

Probable Cause and Findings

POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARK NIGHT CONDITION AND TERRAIN CLEARANCE WAS NOT MAINTAINED.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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