Cessna U206B N4982F

Summary

On 27 October 1997 at about 00:00 local time, a Cessna U206B registered N4982F, operated by Reinhold J. Lukas, was involved in an accident near Markleeville, California, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 October 1997 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Markleeville, California, United States

Coordinates

38.7301, -119.8409

Aircraft

Cessna U206B

Registration

N4982F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Reinhold J. Lukas

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Minden → Angel's Camp

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98FA031

4 people died.

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive gross weight of the airplane, the high density altitude, and the high (mountainous) terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The aircraft was destroyed when it impacted trees in mountainous terrain at about 7,850 feet msl. The density altitude was calculated to be about 8,400 feet. Examination of the trees and the aircraft wreckage disclosed that the aircraft was in near level flight at the time of initial tree contact. The aircraft gross weight at the time of impact was calculated to be about 3900 pounds; the maximum certificated takeoff weight was 3500 pounds. No mechanical malfunction was found in the airframe or the engine. The owner had personally installed a set of amphibious floats and a three-blade propeller. The installation was not inspected or signed off for return to service, and there was no evidence that the weight and balance had been recomputed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.