Cessna 340 accident near Elko, NV
On May 18, 1994, a Cessna 340 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Elko, NV. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 18, 1994
- Place
- Elko, NV
- Aircraft
- Cessna 340 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.951°N, 115.791°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01272
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 18,1994, at 1551 pacific daylight time, a Cessna 340, N5158J, was destroyed following a loss of control near Elko, Nevada. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area for the personal cross country flight. The non-instrument rated pilot received an abbreviated weather briefing at 1251 for a proposed VFR flight from Las Vegas to Elko, Nevada. The pilot was issued the requested weather for the flight and was advised that VFR flight was not recommended due to the mountain obscuration, icing, and turbulence. A departure time of 1414 was recorded by the tower at the Las Vegas McCarren Airport. A VFR flight plan was filed and activated. The last radio communications with the aircraft was at 1545, 14 miles south of Elko. The wreckage of the airplane was located by units of the Civil Air Patrol 10 nautical miles southwest of Elko Airport near Grindstone Peak at an approximate elevation of 6100 feet, at 0655 on May 19, 1994. There were no reported witnesses to the accident. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The non-instrument rated pilot's log books had not been kept up to date as to instrument, single engine or multi engine time flown. His last biennial flight review was on July 7, 1991. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION A review of the airframe and engine records did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects prior to the flight. The pilot had owned the airplane since 1987. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area. The following in-flight advis
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE (OR CLEARANCE) FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, HIGH (MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY) TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.
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Browse: Nevada · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
