# NTSB SEA92LA214: Cessna 320B, N9811L, Lowell, ID, September 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1992, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Lowell, ID
- Coordinates: 46.079826, -115.859649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0798&lon=-115.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA214

## Probable cause

RAM INDUCTION AIR STARVATION OF BOTH ENGINES AND INABILITY OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO CLEAR TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE LOW CEILINGS AND TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - all engines
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ESTABLISHED IN CRUISE AT 14,000 FEET AND 21 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE, BOTH ENGINES ABRUPTLY LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING IN SNOW AT THE TIME AND THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS REPORTED AS APPROXIMATELY 0 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED TO 3000 FEET MSL AND DURING THE DESCENT ENGINE POWER WAS REGAINED. THE AIRCRAFT BROKE OUT OF AN UNDERCAST WITH APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET OF VERTICAL AND 1 SQUARE MILE OF LATERAL AIRSPACE IN WHICH TO MANEUVER IN, AND WITH UPSLOPING TERRAIN SURROUNDING THE AIRCRAFT THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT AN ABANDONED AIRSTRIP NEARBY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED SMALL TREES WHICH HAD GROWN UP IN THE LANDING AREA. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED MOISTURE WITHIN BOTH AIR INDUCTION SYSTEMS AND DETERMINED THAT BOTH ALTERNATE AIR SYSTEMS WERE CAPABLE OF PROPER OPERATION. ADDITIONALLY, UNCONTAMINATED FUEL WAS FOUND WITHIN ALL FOUR FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9811L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9811L-1994-10-04), registration cancelled 1994-10-04, S/N 320B0011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320B
- Registry model: [Cessna 320B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320b) (registry code 2074508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 320B0011
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-470-B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ehrstrom, William H.
- Registered owner: Mcdougall, Butch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: PIH, POCATELLO, ID
- Destination: S86, SANDPOINT, ID
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,950 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,750 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: S80, 53 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 19920924038699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920924038699A), Sep 24, 1992: Cessna 320B, Moose Creek, ID, Destroyed. Lost power both engines IFR en route. Struck tree landing on closed usfs strip. Suffered throttle body icing.

## Other investigations on N9811L (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 OAK75FVG15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75FVG15), Aug 17, 1974: Cessna 320B (N9811L), Sacramento, 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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