Cessna A185F N7562Q

Summary

On 21 August 2004 at about 23:00 local time, a Cessna A185F registered N7562Q, operated by Robert Londo, was involved in an accident near Toutle, Washington, United States. 3 people were on board and one died, 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 August 2004 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Toutle, Washington, United States

Coordinates

46.2600, -122.6531

Aircraft

Cessna A185F

Registration

N7562Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert Londo

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McMinnville → Everett

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA04FA169

1 person died.

The pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. Inadequate preflight planning/preparation, trees, a low ceiling and no suitable terrain available for the landing were factors.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that weather information was attained before and during the flight. The cruising altitude was approximately 2,500 feet mean sea level. The pilot stated that while en route the ceiling and forward visibility deteriorated enough to warrant turning around and diverting to an alternate airport. While attempting to reach the airport, the weather conditions continued to deteriorate and the pilot made a decision to perform an emergency landing to avoid flight into possible instrument meteorological conditions and avoid contact with the surrounding rising terrain. The pilot chose to make a landing next to a clear cut area and land in immature trees adjacent to the clear cut area. The pilot stated that during the collision sequence, the wings were separated. The fuselage came to rest upright with few injuries to the occupants. It was during the subsequent post-crash fire which caused the severest injuries to the occupants. The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident. Prior to departure and during the in flight weather briefings, the weather specialist reported to the pilot adverse weather conditions along the route of flight and informed the pilot that visual flight rules flight was not recommended.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.