ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 34960
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| Date: | Monday 3 June 1996 |
| Time: | 16:41 LT |
| Type: |  Cessna 320C Skyknight |
| Owner/operator: | Northwest Aerial Photo, Inc. |
| Registration: | N78KA |
| MSN: | 320C0014 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1904 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Winslow, ME -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Old Towne, ME (KOLD) |
| Syracuse, NY (KSYR) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The airplane was cruising at 18,000 feet msl when radar and radio communication were lost. Radar data indicated the airplane made a 180 degree turn before impacting in a river. Witnesses reported that they heard the airplane, then saw it spiraling through the clouds. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a preimpact anomaly. Weather data indicated a temperature of minus 9 to 10 degrees Celsius at 18,000 feet msl and a freezing level at 9,000 to 13,000 feet msl. An airmet (Zulu Update 3) was in effect for icing and freezing level conditions, which pertained to the route of flight, and there were numerous pilot reports of icing conditions in the vicinity of the accident. The pilot requested and obtained an abbreviated preflight weather briefing, and he was advised by ATC of information in the airmet. According to the owner's manual, pilots of this make/model airplane should avoid icing conditions whenever possible. The airplane was not equipped with deicing equipment, and the pitot heat switch was found in the off position.
Probable Cause: the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions, and his loss of aircraft control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain (river). The known icing condition was a related factor.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB IAD96FA090
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 16-Nov-2022 20:39 | Ron Averes | Updated [Aircraft type] |
| 09-Apr-2024 06:33 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Accident report] |
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