# NTSB SEA91FA019: Cessna 206, N5184U, Pullman, WA, November 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1990, 05:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Pullman, WA
- Coordinates: 46.720817, -117.179054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7208&lon=-117.1791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA019

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DISPLAYED INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE WEATHER WAS OBSCURED, THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION, AND A PROPER ALTITUDE NOT MAINTAINED.

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT ADVISED ATC THAT HE COULD NOT FIND THE AIRPORT DUE TO CLOUDS. ATC ADVISED THE PILOT OF THE LOCATION OF THE AIRPORT AND THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SAW A CLEAR AREA NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT. THE FLIGHT WAS LAST RADAR IDENTIFIED DESCENDING IN THE AREA THE PILOT REPORTED AS A CLEAR AREA. DURING THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION, THE AIRPLANE'S WRECKAGE DISTRIBUTION PATH INDICATED THAT THE FLIGHT WAS HEADING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AIRPORT AND IN CONTROLLED FLIGHT. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5184U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5184U-1999-08-23), registration cancelled 1999-08-23, S/N 2060184 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206
- Registry model: [Cessna 206](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-206) (registry code 2073302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2060184
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Climbing Out Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: YKM, YAKIMA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 353 total, 312 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Observed at: PUW, 4 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 19901118051029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901118051029A), Nov 18, 1990: Cessna P206B, Pullman/Moscow, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Appears aircraft was flown into ground at night in dense fog. No weather briefing.

## Other investigations on N5184U (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 OAK66D0292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66D0292), Apr 25, 1966: Cessna 206 (N5184U), Yuba City, CA, 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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