Cessna P210N CGBFM

Summary

On 31 March 1998 at about 17:40 local time, a Cessna P210N registered CGBFM was involved in an accident near Royal City, Washington, United States. 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

31 March 1998 at 17:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Royal City, Washington, United States

Coordinates

46.8990, -119.6609

Aircraft

Cessna P210N

Registration

CGBFM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Moses Lake → Boardman

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA98FA056

3 people died.

Attempted VFR flight into IMC and terrain clearance was not maintained. A low ceiling was a factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight took off under visual flight rules with an approximate 1,000 foot overcast layer. No flight plan was filed. The route of flight was southbound toward an approximate 2,200 foot mountain ridge line. Witnesses heard the aircraft fly overhead, but could not see the aircraft due to the low overcast layer that obscured the ridge. Another witness reported that he was at the top of the ridge about 20 minutes after the accident. This witness reported that the visibility was about 100 feet with light drizzle. After the overcast lifted several hours later, the wreckage was spotted about 100 feet below the ridge line. On-site investigation determined that the aircraft collided with the mountain on a southerly heading. Wreckage was distributed for approximately 200 feet along a 10 degree upslope. A post crash fire destroyed the cabin and a majority of the wings. Follow-up investigation and engine teardown did not reveal evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.