# NTSB SEA93FA071: Cessna 402B, N3103P, Oakley, UT, March 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1993, 05:28 local (12:28 UTC)
- Place: Oakley, UT
- Coordinates: 40.80923, -111.109474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8092&lon=-111.1095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA071

## Probable cause

POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARK NIGHT CONDITION AND TERRAIN CLEARANCE WAS NOT MAINTAINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT TOOK OFF AT 0500 HOURS IN DARK VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. RADAR DATA INDICATES THAT THE FLIGHT WAS HEADING IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION, TOWARDS ITS DESTINATION AND HAD CLIMBED TO AND LEVELED OFF AT 12,500 FEET. THREE MINUTES PRIOR TO THE LAST IDENTIFIED RADAR TARGET, THE PILOT OBTAINED A PARTIAL WEATHER BRIEFING, FOR THE DESTINATION AIRPORTS, FROM THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA OF HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE FLIGHT COLLIDED WITH A RIDGE LINE AT THE 12,400 FOOT LEVEL. THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIDGE AT 11,400 FEET. DURING THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3103P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3103P-1998-03-02), registration cancelled 1998-03-02, S/N 402B0821 (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: 402B0821
- Airframe hours: 8436
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: American Check Transport
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1993, 149 hours before
- Departed: U42, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: RWL, RAWLINS, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,521 total, 502 in this make and model, 3,764 as pilot in command, 295 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 77 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 19930302042939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930302042939A), Mar 2, 1993: Cessna 402B, Oakley, UT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted near top of ridge on steep mountainside. Strong surface winds. No mechanaical anomalies. Dark night.

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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