Cessna 340A accident near Wise River, MT
On September 5, 1996, a Cessna 340A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wise River, MT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 5, 1996
- Place
- Wise River, MT
- Aircraft
- Cessna 340A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 45.600°N, 113.031°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06809
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 5, 1996, at 1157 mountain daylight time, N128RP, a Cessna 340A, operated by the owner/pilot, collided with terrain near Wise River, Montana, and was destroyed during an uncontrolled descent. The uncontrolled descent was precipitated by a loss of control during a climb to cruise. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. There was a ground fire. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Butte, Montana, at 1117 and was en route to McCall, Idaho. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. An acquaintance of the pilot (statement attached) stated that she flew with the pilot as a passenger from McCall, Idaho, to Butte, Montana, one day before the accident. The pilot had just purchased a home in McCall and the airplane was based there. The acquaintance stated that the pilot stayed overnight at her home in the Butte area. She stated that he "felt fine" and "got a good night's sleep." She also stated that he did not indicate that he was having any problems with himself or the airplane on the evening prior to, or morning of, the accident. On the morning of the accident, the pilot woke up, collected his fishing equipment, and left for the Butte Airport. This was the last time that she saw or heard from the pilot. According to voice communications recorded by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Great Falls Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS), Great Falls, Montana, a person identifying himself as the pilot of N128RP
Probable cause
The pilot's attempt to fly in adverse meteorological conditions which led a loss of aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident include: the pilot's failure to obtain the most current information of the meteorological conditions prior to departure, a thunderstorm, and turbulence.
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Browse: Montana · 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.
