# NTSB MKC88FA119: Cessna 320, N320DB, Atwood, KS, July 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1988, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Atwood, KS
- Coordinates: 39.809009, -101.04084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8090&lon=-101.0408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA119

## 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)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight weather advisories - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - lightning strike (cause)
  - fuselage,cabin - fire (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded

## Analysis

THE PIC HAD DEPTD THE DENVER METRO AREA CARRYING PAX TO VACATION IN INDIANA. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED AND THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A PREFLT WX BRIEF. THE FLT PROGRSD WITHOUT ANY KNOWN DIFFICULTY UNTIL REACHING THE COLORODO/KANSAS BORDER. THE PIC RQSTD AND RCVD WX OBS FOR LOCATIONS AHEAD OF HIM, HAVING OBSVD A LGE AREA OF CLOUD BUILDUP. THE PIC WAS ADVISED OF LEVEL 2 RAIN SHOWERS WITH INBEDDED TSTM ACTIVITY ALONG THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY. NTAP DISPLAYED NO APPRECIABLE ALTERATION OF GND TRACK SUBSEQUENT TO THE WX BRIEF. HOWEVER THE (NTAP) DATA INDICATED LRGE CHANGES IN ALTITUDES, PSBLY INDICATING SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE LAST DATA INDICATED A 12,000 FT PER MIN DESCENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED INVERTED IN A FURROWED FIELD. EVIDENCE INDICATED LGTNG STRIKES TO THE COCKPIT AND WING AND A CABIN FIRE. RADAR DATA INDICATED THE ACFT PENETRATED AN AREA OF LVL FOUR TSTMS. PORTIONS OF THE ACFT WERE FOUND STREWN OVER A ONE MILE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N320DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N320DB-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 320B0034, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320
- Registry model: [Cessna 320B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320b) (registry code 2074508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSI0-470-B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsi0-470-b) (registry code 17029, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 320B0034
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-470-C 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lee Wm. Lemond
- Registered owner: Comfort Center, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1986
- Departed: BIC, BROOMFIELD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,550 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLD, 50 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 19880707025749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880707025749A), Jul 7, 1988: Cessna 320, Atwood, KS, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Flew VFR into a thunderstorm. Cabin fire from lightning strike caused incapacitation,control loss,inflight breakup

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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