Cessna 320D N4178T

Summary

On 17 April 2003, a Cessna 320D registered N4178T was involved in an accident near Mazama, Washington, 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

17 April 2003

Classification

Accident

Location

Mazama, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.7997, -120.5664

Aircraft

Cessna 320D

Registration

N4178T

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wenatchee → Merritt, BC

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03FA165

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Mountainous terrain, trees and mountain obscuration were factors.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The aircraft had been missing for four months when the wreckage was spotted by a helicopter pilot engaged in firefighting operations. The wreckage was located on the east wall of a north/south running valley at the 5,000 foot level. On site documentation of the wreckage indicated that the aircraft was traveling in a northerly direction when it collided with several trees before impacting the steep mountainous terrain. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was indicated. At the time of the accident, low clouds and mountain obscuration were in the area. Two pilot's flying in the area north of the departure airport had observed a twin engine aircraft flying in a northerly direction between 200 to 500 feet above ground level. Data extracted from the on board GPS unit indicated that the destination may have been to an airport in Canada. The last coordinates and altitude matched the accident site location and elevation. The last recorded speed was 197 knots. No flight plan had been filed nor was there evidence of a weather briefing from flight services. Family members were unable to verify the purpose of the flight or its destination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.