Cessna 335 N27069

Summary

On 4 July 2002 at about 16:58 local time, a Cessna 335 registered N27069 was involved in an accident near Tensed, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 July 2002 at 16:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Tensed, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

47.1953, -116.9972

Aircraft

Cessna 335

Registration

N27069

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pullman → Sandpoint

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02FA119

2 people died.

Aircraft control was not maintained during an emergency landing. A loss of power for undetermined reasons was a factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Radar data of the flight tracking indicated that the aircraft attained an altitude of about 6,000 feet before altitude reporting was lost about seven minutes after departure. The aircraft continued on a northerly track for about another five minutes when the tracking turned 180 degrees (left) and continued to the south for about two minutes. The tracking then turned to the west for about one minute, then turned to a southerly direction again when radar tracking was lost. The wreckage was distributed over an open fallow field of rolling terrain for a distance of 390 feet. Ground signatures and impact damage to the aircraft indicated a left wing low attitude at the time of terrain contact. The landing gear and flaps were retracted. Witnesses in the area reported hearing the aircraft overhead and stated that the engine(s) were making a "popping" sound and/or lost power. Post-crash inspection of the wreckage and engine teardown did not reveal evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. Interviews with personnel at the flights originating airport reported that they saw the aircraft fly for the first time in several months a couple of days prior to the accident. The pilot accomplished touch-and-go landings at that time. The day before the accident, the pilot had fuel added to the main fuel tanks only. The quantity of fuel in the auxiliary fuel tanks was not known. Maintenance records indicated that the aircraft had been flown approximately 2 hours in the preceding year.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.