# NTSB DEN82FA056: Cessna 320F, N999LS, Missoula, MT, April 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1982, 20:46 local (Apr 7, 1982, 03:46 UTC)
- Place: Missoula, MT
- Coordinates: 46.850666, -113.990303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8507&lon=-113.9903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA056

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - holding(ifr)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - holding(ifr)
  - induction air control/system - other
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL FOR AN ILS-2 APPROACH TO RUNWAY 11, THE PILOT WAS ADVISED TO HOLD AT THE KONA NDB WHILE SNOWPLOWS FINISHED CLEARING THE RUNWAY. AT THAT TIME, THE MISSOULA WEATHER WAS 1200 FT OBSCURED, 2 MI VISIBILITY WITH LIGHT SNOW AND FOG, TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 32 AND 30 DEG RESPECTIVELY. ABOUT 1 MIN AFTER REACHING THE KONA NDB, THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND REPORTED THAT BOTH ENGINES WERE BEGINNING TO LOSE POWER. AT THAT TIME, HE WAS CLEARED FOR AN IMMEDIATE APPROACH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CRASHED BETWEEN THE KONA NDB AND THE ILS OUTER MARKER. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, ALL FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND RUPTURED, BUT FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND BY BOTH TIP TANKS. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURES WERE FOUND. BOTH ALTERNATE AIR HANDLES WERE FOUND CLOSED. JUST PRIOR TO CRASHING, WITNESSES HEARD THE PLANE AT LOW ALTITUDE. THEY REPORTED THAT 1 OR MORE ENGINES WERE RUNNING AND HEAVY SNOW WAS FALLING AND BLOWING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N999LS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N999LS-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 320F-0036, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320F
- Registry model: [Cessna 320F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320f) (registry code 2074516) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0036
- Airframe hours: 1988
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Three-Twenty Flying Club
- Registered owner: Three-Twenty Flying Club
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: C, PIEDMONT, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSO, Missoula County, runway 11, 9,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,615 total, 108 in this make and model, 1,363 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSO, 10 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 19820406070189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820406070189A), Apr 6, 1982: Cessna 320F, Missoula, MT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Low fuel emergency while holding. Indicates pilot put fuel selectors on off by mistake. Struck trees on approach.

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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