# NTSB WPR14LA005: Cessna 340A, N312GC, Paulden, AZ, October 4, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 2013, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Paulden, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.865276, -112.522781
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8653&lon=-112.5228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA-FSDO, Textron Aviation, Continental Motors, Inc.
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88174/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88174
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA005

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear a radio tower while maneuvering at low altitude and his decision to make a high-speed, low pass over the gun club.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Personality/attitude: confidence/reliance on equip](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021015/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Witnesses located at a gun club reported observing the airplane make a high-speed, low pass from north to south over the club's buildings and then maneuver around for another low pass from east to west. During the second low pass, the airplane collided with a radio tower that was about 50 ft tall, and the right wing sheared off about 10 ft of the tower's top. The tower's base was triangular shaped, and each of its sides was about 2 ft long. One witness reported that the airplane remained in a straight-and-level attitude until impact with the tower. The airplane then rolled right to an almost inverted position and subsequently impacted trees and terrain about 700 ft southwest of the initial impact point. One witness reported that, about 3 to 4 years before the accident, the pilot, who was a client of the gun club, had "buzzed" over the club and had been told to never do so again. A postaccident examination of the engines and the airframe revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The six seat, low wing, retractable landing gear airplane, serial number 340A0023, was manufactured in 1975. It was powered by two Continental Motors TSIO-520 engines. Maintenance records indicated that the last annual inspection was completed on April 25, 2013. At that time the airframe total time was reported as 7,690.0 hours. The entries for both the left and right engine indicated a tachometer time of 2,491.0 hours and 609.5 hours since major overhaul. At 1128, the pilot contacted Lockheed Martin Flight Service and reported that he was on the ground at Bullhead City and planned to fly to Prescott, Arizona. The pilot inquired about a temporary flight restriction (TFR) at Prescott and wanted to know what time the airport would reopen. The specialist confirmed that the airport would be open at 1130. Runways 12 and 30 were closed to fixed wing traffic due to air show activities. The specialist then inquired if the pilot wanted weather advisories. The pilot replied that he did and the specialist informed the pilot of an AIRMET for moderate turbulence below 14,000 feet all along the route of flight. The conversation ended at 1131. At 1204, the pilot contacted flight watch reporting that he was 15 miles south of Kingman, Arizona, and wanted to confirm the ending time of the TFR at Prescott. The specialist confirmed that the TFR ended at 1130. Before the conversation ended the pilot provided a pilot report of the in-flight weather conditions. The pilot reported that he was at 11,500 feet and experiencing light chop to smooth air. The winds were from 340 degrees at 12 knots and the outside air temperature was 1 degree C. The conversation ended at 1209. There were no further communications from the pilot. On October 4, 2013, at 1300 mountain standard time, a Cessna 340A, N312GC, collided with a radio tower while maneuvering near Paulden, Arizona. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed from Bullhead City, Arizona about 1130. A summation of several witnesses at a gun club reported the airplane made one high speed, low pass from north to south over the club's buildings, and then maneuvered around for another low pass from east to west. During the second low pass over the buildings, the airplane collided with an approximate 50 foot tall radio tower. The base of the tower was triangular shaped with each of the sides about two feet in length. About 10 feet of the tower was sheared off by the airplane's right wing. After the impact the airplane rolled to the right almost inverted and subsequently impacted trees and terrain approximately 700 feet southwest of the initial impact point. One witness reported that the airplane remained in a straight andlevel attitude until the impact. This witness also stated that about three to four years prior to this accident, the pilot, a client of the gun club, had "buzzed" the club and had been told never to do so again. The office of the medical examiner, Yavapai County, performed an external examination on the pilot. The report indicated the cause of death as "blunt force trauma and thermal injury." Toxicological samples were taken from the pilot and sent to the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for analysis. The analysis revealed Metoprolol detected in urine and muscle; Rosuvastatin detected in urine and Zolpidem detected in urine and muscle. The 57 year old pilot held a private pilot certificate and was rated in single and multi-engine land, helicopter and instrument airplane. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records indicate that the pilot held a third class medical certificate dated August 16, 2012. A limitation indicated that the pilot must have glasses available for near vision. At the time of the medical application, the pilot reported a total flight time of 4,006 hours. The wreckage was recovered to a secured facility in Phoenix, Arizona. A postaccident examination of the engines and the airframe revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Detailed reports are in the public docket. The airplane's right wing collided with the approximate 50 foot tall radio tower shearing off the top 10 feet of the tower. The right wing folded up after the impact and the airplane began a roll to the right to the almost inverted position. The airplane subsequently collided with trees and terrain about 700 feet southwest of the initial impact point. A postcrash fire consumed the wreckage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N312GC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N312GC-2014-11-06), registration cancelled 2014-11-06, S/N 340A0023, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A (A)
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0023
- Year built: 1975
- Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Parrish James M
- Registered owner: Parrish James M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: IFP, Bullhead City, AZ
- Destination: PRC, Prescott, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,006 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 14 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 20131004020429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131004020429A), Oct 4, 2013: Cessna 340A, Paulden, AZ, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft struck a 90? (Approx.) tall radio tower that was located at a shooting range located southwest of Paulden, AZ. Base of the tower was triangular shaped…

## Docket (18 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 22, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88174. 18.5 MB in all.

- Flight Path Map (item 1, .PDF, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Path%20Map-Master.PDF
- Wreckage Distribution Map (item 2, .PDF, 382 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421509&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Distribution%20Map-Master.PDF
- FAA Correspondence - Witness Summation (item 3, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Correspondence%20-%20Witness%20Summation-Master.PDF
- Gunsite Academy - Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Gunsite%20Academy%20-%20Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF
- CMI Record of Conversation - Mills (item 5, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CMI%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Mills-Master.PDF
- FAA Official Weather - Prescott (PRC), AZ (item 6, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421513&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Official%20Weather%20-%20Prescott%20(PRC),%20AZ-Master.PDF
- Transcript (item 7, .PDF, 281 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421514&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript-Master.PDF
- CMI - Left Engine Field Inspection Report (item 8, .PDF, 7.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CMI%20-%20Left%20Engine%20Field%20Inspection%20Report-Master.PDF
- CMI - Right Engine Field Inspection Report (item 9, .PDF, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CMI%20-%20Right%20Engine%20Field%20Inspection%20Report-Master.PDF
- Cessna Aircraft Report (item 10, .PDF, 242 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Aircraft%20Report-Master.PDF
- Maintenance Records - Annual Inspection (item 11, .PDF, 280 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Annual%20Inspection-Master.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 12, .PDF, 277 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 13, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421520&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF
- Toxicological Report (item 14, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Base of Tower (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 15, .PDF, 306 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Base%20of%20Tower%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 16, .PDF, 846 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421523&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Top of Tower (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 17, .PDF, 397 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Top%20of%20Tower%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Wing Separation (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 18, .PDF, 669 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421525&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Wing%20Separation%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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