SEA83FA038

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna T303 · Willard, WA · January 4, 1983

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report
Date
January 3, 1983, 18:18 local (Jan 4, 1983, 02:18 UTC)
Place
Willard, WA
Injuries
5 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N6087CCessna T303
Weather
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19830103001999A
Case key
39592

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight encounter with weatherClimb - to cruise
Weather condition - turbulence in cloudsFactor
Weather condition - icing conditionsFactor
Flight into known adverse weather - continuedPilot in commandCause
Loss of control - in flightDescent
Wing - iceCause
Stabilizer - iceCause
Aircraft performance - deterioratedCause
Spiral - uncontrolledPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent
Terrain condition - mountainous/hillyFactor
Terrain condition - high terrainFactor

Analysis

Before takeoff, the plt received a wx briefing & filed an IFR flt plan to Idaho falls, id at 1300 ft. he took off at 1804 PST. At 1814 PST, just prior to calling level at 13,000 ft, he reported he was encountering light turbulence & light rime ice. Aprx 4 min later, the plt reported experiencing heavy vibrations. He requested & received a clearance toreturn to portland & descend to 7000 ft. shortly after that, the acft entered a tight descending turn which the plt reported he was having difficulty arresting. He reported regaining directional control at 6000 ft & said the acft had a heavy load of ice. Shortly thereafter, the acft crashed in mountains at the 3130 ft level. Due to damage from impact & wreckage retrieval, the preimpact condition of all deicing components was not verified. The acft was not certified for flt in known icing conditions. Moderate mixed icing condition & moderate turbulence were forecast. The plt was briefed there had been reports of moderate icing thru-out the area.

Aircraft

Registration
N6087C
Reported as
Cessna T303
Category
Airplane
Serial number
T30300144
Airframe hours
25
Engine
Continental TSIO-520-AE, 250 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Business · Part 91
Registered owner
Key Airlines, Incorporated
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
PDX · Portland, OR
Destination
IDA · Idaho Falls, ID
Flight plan
IFR

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
39
Certificate
Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
7,657 total · 100 in this make and model · 6 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Wind
Calm
Visibility
5 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
1,300 ft overcast
Temperature
34 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
DLS, 24 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.