# NTSB SEA89LA030: Cessna 205, N8403Z, Cottage Grove, OR, December 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1988, 14:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Cottage Grove, OR
- Coordinates: 43.709499, -123.030204 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7095&lon=-123.0302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA030

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT TOOK OFF ON A SOLO FLIGHT FROM AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT AT COTTAGE GROVE IN MARGINAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE TRANSMITTED TO EUGENE TOWER (WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES NORTH) THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED 'WHITE-OUT' CONDITIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY, APPROACH CONTROL IDENTIFIED THE AIRCRAFT'S POSITION ON RADAR AND ATTEMPTED TO VECTOR THE AIRCRAFT TO EUGENE AIRPORT. HOWEVER, THE STUDENT WAS UNABLE TO HOLD A HEADING OR ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT AND CRASHED. THE 1450 PST WEATHER AT EUGENE WAS: 2000 FT SCATTERED, 4000 FT OVERCAST WITH 10 MILES VISIBILITY. A PILOT WITNESS ESTIMATED THE WEATHER AT COTTAGE GROVE WAS: 800 FT BROKEN CEILING, VISIBILITY ONE MILE WITH RAIN AND FOG.

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8403Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8403Z-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 205-0403 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 205
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5(205)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5-205) (registry code 2073202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-series) (registry code 17044, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 205-0403
- Airframe hours: 3860
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymund R. Wilbur III
- Registered owner: Raymund R Wilbur
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1988, 69 hours before
- Destination: EUG, EUGENE, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 128 total, 95 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken

## 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 19881227056819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881227056819A), Dec 27, 1988: Cessna 2105, Cottage Grove, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into clouds en route. Called for help. Began vectors. Became disoriented,lost control and impacted near vertical

## Other investigations on N8403Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB UNK64X1112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1112), Mar 30, 1964: Cessna 205 (N8403Z), Klamath Fall, OR, substantial damage

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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