# NTSB ATL86FA074: Cessna 303, N4877V, Shippenville, PA, February 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1986, 21:00 local (Feb 13, 1986, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Shippenville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.25061, -79.459907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2506&lon=-79.4599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA074

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

N4877V ARRIVED OVER CLARION COUNTY AIRPORT AT ABOUT 2100 HOURS, AND COMMENCED A VISUAL APPROACH FOR LANDING. MARGINAL VISUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED BY ANOTHER PILOT WAITING ON THE GROUND FOR THE AIRCRAFT. THIS PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN THROUGH A BREAK IN THE CLOUDS AS IT TURNED LEFT, SOUTHWEST, AS IF TO ESTABLISH A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 05. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED IN A WOODED AREA SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO INDICATE ANY MALFUNCTION OR SYSTEM FAILURE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND THE WRECKAGE WAS CONFINED TO AN AREA INDICATIVE WITH A STALL TYPE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4877V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4877V-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N T30300282 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 303
- Registry model: [Cessna T303](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t303) (registry code 2073820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T303-00282
- Airframe hours: 80
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Steel City Aviation
- Registered owner: Hsfc & Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1986, 32 hours before
- Departed: CLEVELAND, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CIP, Clarion County, runway 23, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,504 total, 2,198 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DUJ, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860212002589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860212002589A), Feb 12, 1986: Cessna T303, Clarion, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (.4)N4877V arrived over Clarion County Airport at about 2100 hours, and commenced a visual approach for landing. Marginal visual weather conditions prevailed…

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.

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