# Accident 20030409004019A: Cessna T207A, Merlin, OR, April 9, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 9, 2003, 15:15 local time
- Place: Merlin, OR
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.6067° N, 123.4750° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6067&lon=-123.4750&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9785M, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9785M-2003-10-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna T207A (registry code 2073615, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t207a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-520-M (registry code 17266, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T207A
- Reported engine: CONT TSIO520*
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 34,500 total, 4,520 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA03FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA059) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030409004019A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) METARS 1-1/4SM, BR, FEW001, SCT009, OVC019, NTAPS INDICATES THAT AIRCRAFT WAS ON DIRECT TRACK FROM OTH TO GRANTS PASS, OREGON. LAST RADAR CONTACT SHOWED AIRCRAFT AT 5200 FEET APPROXIMATELY 10-12 MILES FROM GRANTS PASS, OR. AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE LOCATED ON SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN RIDGE OF A MOUNTAIN SIX MILES WEST OF SEXTANT MOUNTAIN (METARS). SUMMIT OF IMPACTED MOUNTAIN ELEVATION (GPS) IS 3015 FEET. N9785M IMPACTED TREETOP AT SUMMIT WITH LEFT WING STRUT. THIS CAUSED SEPARATION OF LEFT WING (LOCATED IN TREETOPS) AND SUBSEQUENT IMPACT WITH SURROUNDING TREELINE AND RIDGE .14 MILES SOUTH OF INITIAL TREE STRIKE. THE INITIALLY IMPACTED TREE TOP IS APPROXIMATELY 60 FEET IN HEIGHT. PER METARS AND FLIGHT SERVICE ISSUED NOTICE OF OBSCURED MOUNTAINS, AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING CONTRARY TO LIMITATIONS FOR VFR FLIGHT (CLASS E). POSITION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS INDICATE AIRCRAFT IN CRUISE CONFIGURATION AT TIME OF IMPACT. (-23 AMENDMENT) ACCIDENT SITE (IMPACT POINT) I LOCATED WITHIN CLASS G AIRSPACE (700 FEET AGL), NOT CLASS 3 AS INITIALLY PROVIDED. AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING WITHIN CLASS E INITIALLY (RADAR PLOT) AND DESCENDED TO CLASS G. REGIONAL                                                                   MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE REPORTED AS BEING OBSCURED PER METEOROLOGICAL NOTICE ISSUED APRIL 9, 2003.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA03FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA059), Apr 9, 2003: Cessna T207 A (N9785M), Merlin, OR, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while in cruise flight. Factors include low ceilings and mountainous terrain.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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