Cessna 140A accident near Harper, OR
On December 11, 1999, a Cessna 140A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Harper, OR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- December 11, 1999
- Place
- Harper, OR
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 43.861°N, 117.640°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X20317
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 10, 1999, approximately 1700 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 140A, N5347C, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain near the Mud Flat ranch, 35 miles south of Harper, Oregon. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was believed to have last departed the Crowley Ranch, about twelve miles southwest, at 1630, with its destination Caldwell, Idaho, the pilot's home. A rancher in the general area at the time observed heavy snow conditions. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which was to have been operated under 14 CFR 91. There was no fire. The ELT assisted in the location of the wreckage after the family reported the pilot missing on December 11. The airplane was found inverted at the end of a 70 foot long ground scar which was oriented along a 228 degree magnetic bearing to the airplane. Sheriff's GPS location of the wreckage was at 43 degrees 20.80 minutes north, 117 degrees 36.86 minutes west, with an elevation of 4535 feet MSL. The wreckage was located by sheriff personnel using a ground vehicle and the ELT signal. The nose of the airplane and the lower fuselage exhibited extensive crushing of the sheet metal skin and bulkheads. The landing gear bulkheads (the gear box) and the associated structure were separated from the lower fuselage structure. Investigators noted a strong odor consistent with gasoline near the wreckage. None of the seat belts or shoulder harnesses were buckled, and there was no evidence of the attachment points being compromised or damaged. According to sheriff's deputi
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors include meteorological conditions obscuring the pilot's visibility and incapacitation due to illegal substances.
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Browse: Oregon · 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.
