Cessna 320D accident near Mazama, WA
On April 17, 2003, a Cessna 320D (airplane) was involved in an accident near Mazama, WA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 17, 2003
- Place
- Mazama, WA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 320D · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.800°N, 120.566°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030814X01328
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 17, 2003, a twin-engine Cessna 320D, N4178T, registered to and flown by an instrument rated commercial pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, failed to arrive at the Bellingham International Airport, Bellingham, Washington, their presumed destination, after departing the Pangborn Memorial Airport, Wenatchee, Washington. Variable meteorological conditions prevailed over the route of flight to Bellingham, and a flight plan was not filed. It was reported by witnesses at Wenatchee that the flight departed at approximately 0745. One passenger was on board. Witnesses reported that the aircraft arrived in Wenatchee on April 16, 2003. Fuel was added to the aircraft by Wings of Wenatchee at 1530. On April 17, 2003, witnesses observed two people loading baggage onto the aircraft sometime before 0800. The aircraft took off from Wenatchee about 0745. Family members reported that this was a pleasure flight, and that the pilot and passenger were friends. The wife of the pilot stated that she believed that her husband was going to Bellingham before returning to California. The wife also reported that the pilot liked to fly low to look at the country side. On April 18, 2003, at 1557, an alert notice (ALNOT) was issued for the missing aircraft. Search and rescue efforts commenced on April 19, 2003. During the search efforts, radar targets to the north and south of Wenatchee were researched. None of the targets were identified as the missing aircraft. The aircraft was not located and the search was suspended on May 1, 2003. During the search effort, two witness
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Mountainous terrain, trees and mountain obscuration were factors.
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Browse: Washington · 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.
