# NTSB SEA83FA038: Cessna T303, N6087C, Willard, WA, January 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1983, 18:18 local (Jan 4, 1983, 02:18 UTC)
- Place: Willard, WA
- Coordinates: 45.739295, -121.579238 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7393&lon=-121.5792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - stabilizer - ice (cause)
  - aircraft performance - deteriorated (cause)
  - spiral - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T303
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T30300144
- Airframe hours: 25
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 39; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830103001999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830103001999A), Jan 3, 1983: Cessna T303, Willard, WA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft crashed during flight into known icing conditions. Pilot reported heavy vibrations and icing.

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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