# NTSB SEA97LA125: Cessna 402C, N1233P, Rawlins, WY, June 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 1997, 22:40 local (Jun 2, 1997, 04:40 UTC) - Place: Rawlins, WY - Coordinates: 41.780002, -107.220291 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7800&lon=-107.2203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42618/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during the initial climb after a night takeoff. Factors include a dark night and rising terrain off the departure end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During the initial climb after takeoff, while executing a dark-night departure, the pilot failed to maintain clearance from rising terrain about one and one-quarter mile off the end of the runway. Operator records indicated that the pilot had flown out of this airport in the past, and that the aircraft was approximately 600 pounds below maximum certificated gross weight at the time of departure. A teardown inspection of both engines revealed no pre-impact anomalies, and visual and teardown inspections of the propellers showed damage signatures consistent with ground contact in a flat pitch under significant power. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 1997, approximately 2240 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 402C, N1233P, impacted the terrain just after takeoff from Rawlins Municipal Airport, Rawlins, Wyoming. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by Casper Air Service, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 135 cargo flight was departing for Riverton, Wyoming, and was being operated in visual meteorological conditions on a dark night. The pilot had filed an IFR flight plan. According to an FAA inspector who arrived at the scene the day after the accident, the aircraft impacted 200 foot high terrain about one and one-quarter mile off the end of runway 04, while making a VFR dark-night departure. Both propellers made a number of equally-spaced slash marks in the surface of the ground, and an inspection of the flight control system continuity showed no pre-impact anomalies. Both the flaps and the landing gear were in the up position. During the investigation, both engines and both propellers were subjected to teardown inspections. Except for impact damage, both engines and their fuel systems exhibited normal operational signatures throughout, with all components appearing well lubricated, and all magnetos producing a bright blue spark across a seven millimeter spark gap. The propeller blade visual inspections and the propeller hub teardown inspections revealed damage signatures consistent with ground impact in a flat pitch under significant power. Records provided by the operator indicate that the pilot had flown out of this airport in the past, and that at the time of departure, the aircraft was approximately 600 pounds below maximum certificated gross weight. As of the date of the last investigative interview, the pilot has been unable to remember the sequence of events leading up to the crash. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1233P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1233P-1998-02-17), registration cancelled 1998-02-17, S/N 402C0804 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 402C - Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402C-0804 - Airframe hours: 7674 - Engines: Continental TSIO520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Casper Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1997, 33 hours before - Departed: RWL - Destination: RIW, RIVERTON, WY - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 11,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19970601012279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970601012279A), Jun 1, 1997: Cessna 402C, Rawlins, WY, Substantial damage. (.4)During the initial climb after takeoff, while executing a dark-night departure, the pilot failed to maintain clearance from rising terrain about one and… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.