# NTSB SEA90FA045: Cessna 402B, N50GP, Baker, OR, February 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1990, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Baker, OR
- Coordinates: 44.829574, -117.759605 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8296&lon=-117.7596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41099/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA045

## Probable cause

PILOT DISPLAYED POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING BY SELECTING TO FLY INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHEN OPERATING IN SNOW SHOWER CONDITIONS AND COLLIDED INTO THE TERRAIN.

## Analysis

DURING A SCHEDULED CARGO FLIGHT, THE PILOT DIVERTED FROM THE NORMAL ROUTE AND TRAVELLED THROUGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE RADAR PLOT INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS IN A GRADUAL CLIMBING LEFT TURN WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURED. THE WEATHER IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT REPORTED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA.

## 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 - snow (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - flight into known adverse weather - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50GP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50GP-1992-09-16), registration cancelled 1992-09-16, S/N 402B1088 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B1088
- Airframe hours: 9672
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Sports Air Travel Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1989, 196 hours before
- Departed: PDT, PENDLETON, OR
- Destination: BKE, BAKER, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,800 total, 51 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 100° at 23 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKE, 16 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 19900205003859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900205003859A), Feb 5, 1990: Cessna 402B, Baker, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck mountainside near crest. Obscurement and snow showers in area.

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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