# NTSB DEN83FA203: Cessna 140A, N5301C, Sevier, UT, August 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1983, 21:30 local (Aug 11, 1983, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Sevier, UT
- Coordinates: 38.579677, -112.31974 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5797&lon=-112.3197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA203

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS RETURNING TO SAN JOSE,CA AFTER AN EXTENDED X-COUNTRY FLT TO OSHKOSH,WI WHICH BEGAN IN THE LATTER PART OF JULY. EARLIER ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, AT 0645, THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING AT MILES CITY,MT. HE REQUESTED THE GENERAL OUTLOOK TO THE GRAND CANYON & ARIZONA AREA & WAS TOLD OF LARGE BUILDUPS IN WESTERN AZ & NV, FORECAST TO MOVE NE.THE PLT DEPARTED AT 0712 & MADE ENROUTE STOPS AT RIVERTON,WY & ROCK SPRINGS,WY. AT 1845, OVER VERNAL,UT, THE PLT REQUESTED A WX UPDATE. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN AT THE 8,700 FT LEVEL. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE STATE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.093%. THE PLT WAS NOT A CFI BUT HAD GIVEN THE STUDENT PLT 29 HRS OF DUAL. HIS LOGBOOK SHOWED THAT HE HAD ALSO GIVEN FLT INSTRUCTION TO OTHER STUDENT PLTS. ON 1/5/83 THE PLT'S DRIVERS LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. HIS BAC WAS REPORTEDLY 0.093%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5301C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5301C-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 15421, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140A
- Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15421
- Airframe hours: 6244
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Collins , David G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1983, 131 hours before
- Departed: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Destination: PGA, PAGE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 470 total, 46 in this make and model, 419 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDC, 54 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 19830810051569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830810051569A), Aug 10, 1983: Cessna 140A, Sevier, UT, Destroyed. Aircraft impacted west slope of 12139 foot mountain at the 8700 foot level. Thunderstorms were in area of crash.

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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