Cessna 205 N8415Z

Summary

On 18 December 1995 at about 00:00 local time, a Cessna 205 registered N8415Z was involved in an accident near Culebra. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 December 1995 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Culebra

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 205

Registration

N8415Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Isla Granda

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

MIA96FA047

3 people died.

Failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance above the terrain, while maneuvering at night. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness with no visible horizon, and the pilot's lack of recent experience in night flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses stated they observed the airplane takeoff at night and fly (depart) over the city until it disappeared from view behind the mountains. The weather was windy with rain about to fall, and the ceiling was about 1,000 feet. The only visible light was over the city. The airplane was located 2 days later. Examination of the crash site revealed the airplane collided with the terrain, while in a descending left turn. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. The pilot's last recorded night flight was 3 years 9 months before the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.