North American SNJ 5 accident near Oroville, WA
On June 16, 2004, a North American SNJ 5 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Oroville, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 16, 2004
- Place
- Oroville, WA
- Aircraft
- North American SNJ 5 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 48.869°N, 119.220°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040621X00841
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 16, 2004, about 1441 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Canadian registered North American Aviation, Inc, SNJ 5 airplane, C-GKGE, sustained substantial damage after colliding with terrain approximately eight miles east of Dorothy Scott Field, Oroville, Washington. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The flight originated from Dorothy Scott Field approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. On the day of the accident the pilot ferried the airplane from Penticton, BC, Canada (CYYF), to Dorothy Scott Field in Oroville for a 100-hour inspection and to clear US Customs. Following the maintenance inspection and customs detail, the pilot departed Oroville. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot returned to the departure airport after experiencing a problem with the airplane's global positioning system (GPS). The owner of Star Airmotive stated repairs to the GPS were made (reattaching a ground wire) and the pilot departed at about 1330. Witnesses reported hearing the airplane fly up the valley east of Oroville. One witness stated the airplane was running "...smooth, strong and easy", but didn't seem to be "pulling." A second witness reported that the airplane was flying low up the valley and the engine was running smooth. A representative from the deceased pilot's estate reported that the accident airplane was in negotiations to be sold pending inspections and delivery to t
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain. Rising terrain was a factor.
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Browse: Washington · North American 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.
