# NTSB LAX83FA458: Cessna TU206-G, N7353N, Flagstaff, AZ, September 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1983, 19:30 local (Sep 24, 1983, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.229053, -111.71965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2291&lon=-111.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA458
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA458

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,heading indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE WEATHER WAS MARGINAL WITH 700 FT SCATTERED, CEILING 3000 FT WITH8 MILES VISIBILITY. THE PLT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS ABOUT AN HOUR APART WHILE WAITING FOR WEATHER IMPROVEMENT. THE BRIEFER COMMENTED THAT THE PLT WAS UNCERTAIN AND SEEMED RELUCTANT TO FLY IN MARGINAL WEATHER BECAUSE OF KNOWN IRREGULARITIES IN THE ACFTS INSTRUMENTS. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TURN COORDINATOR WAS DISCONNECTEDAND THE HEADING INDICATOR WAS INOPERATIVE. THE ATTITUDE INDICATOR WAS DESTROYED SO ITS OPERATION WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7353N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7353N-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N U20603627 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206-G
- Registry model: [Cessna TU206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206g) (registry code 2073357) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20603627
- Airframe hours: 2095
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520M 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Fiesta Airline
- Registered owner: J And N Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1983, 84 hours before
- Departed: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Destination: P16, MESA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; 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: 1,958 total, 34 in this make and model, 1,958 as pilot in command, 167 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 1 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 19830923075339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830923075339A), Sep 23, 1983: Cessna TU206G, Flagstaff, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees shortly after takeoff. Dark rainy night. Dg and turn indicator inoperative. Other instrument errors.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.