Cessna 320D accident near Fallon, NV

On May 23, 2009, a Cessna 320D (airplane) was involved in an accident near Fallon, NV. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

May 23, 2009

Place

Fallon, NV

Aircraft

Cessna 320D · Airplane

Injuries

4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

39.504°N, 118.738°W

NTSB ID

20090522X35527

Official records · WPR09FA258

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• ATC 3 - Factual Report of Group Chairman: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - FAA Accident Report - N320KP - FAA Form 8020: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - Daily Record of Facility Operation: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - Partial Transcript Reno TRACAB: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 22, 2009, about 1935 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Cessna 320D, N320KP, impacted terrain during landing at Fallon Municipal Airport (FLX), Fallon, Nevada. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot and three passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged by impact forces and post crash fire. The cross-country personal flight departed Fresno, California, about 1830, with a planned destination of Fallon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. Witnesses to the accident reported seeing the airplane approach the airport from the southwest and cross mid-field to enter the downwind leg for landing on runway 21. The airplane was observed making a right 270-degree turn to the downwind leg. At a base turn point, the airplane made a sharp left turn and descended out of sight. Witnesses then reported seeing a fireball erupt in the area of the accident. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the 44-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multi engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot held a second-class medical certificate issued on September 14, 2007, with no limitations or waivers listed. At the time of the accident, the pilot was a U.S. Naval aviator, and was current and qualified in the F/A-18, which is a multi engine jet with centerline thrust. An examination of the pilot's flight records as of September

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

More accidents in NV

• Cessna 425, Jan 12, 1992
• Cessna TU206G, Dec 7, 1986
• Beech A36TC, Dec 25, 2003
• Cessna T21OL, Mar 1, 1982
• Pilatus PC-12/45, Feb 25, 2023

Browse: Nevada · Cessna aircraft

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.