Date & Time: Feb 16, 1996 at 0746 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Registration:
N5198J
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Troutdale - Redmond
MSN:
402B-0885
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
WCC1420
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4600
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600
Aircraft flight hours:
10024
Circumstances:
Shortly after reaching a cruising altitude of 9,500 feet, the aircraft's course was observed on radar to change from southeasterly to southwesterly. Its average ground speed decreased from 170 knots to 108 knots during this track change. The pilot called ATC with his call sign, and about five seconds later, an unintelligible, one-second-long transmission was heard. At that same time, radar information showed the aircraft at 8,800 feet. Radar and radio contact were lost shortly thereafter. Three days later, wreckage was found where the aircraft had crashed. The crash site was 1,820 feet above sea level and 1/2 mile south-southwest of its last observed radar position; the aircraft's average descent angle from the 8,800-foot-altitude position to the crash site was about 51 degrees. The aircraft was extensively damaged during impact. No damage was noted on tall trees that surrounded the accident site. Also, no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure of the aircraft or engines was found, and no pre-accident impairment of the pilot was found.
Probable cause:
Loss of aircraft control for undetermined reason(s).
Final Report:
N5198J.pdf106.87 KB