Cessna 182G N3171S

Summary

On 2 January 2004 at about 02:00 local time, a Cessna 182G registered N3171S was involved in an accident near Glasgow, Montana, 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

2 January 2004 at 02:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Glasgow, Montana, United States

Coordinates

48.1865, -106.6373

Aircraft

Cessna 182G

Registration

N3171S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mobridge → Cut Bank

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Light

Night

NTSB number

SEA04FA032

4 people died.

Loss of aircraft control resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors include marginal weather and dark night conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and three passengers were completing the final leg of a round robin cross-country flight that originated earlier in the day. Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes into the final leg of the cross-country flight, the pilot received an in-flight weather update for the route of flight. The weather specialist reported low ceilings and low visibilities along the intended route. Additionally, the specialist reported that VFR flights were not recommended due to an AIRMET for IFR conditions, icing conditions and areas of mountain obscuration. Subsequent to receiving the updated weather information, the pilot reported that he was diverting to and alternate airport northwest of his location. After failing to arrive at the planned destination, an ALNOT was issued for the missing airplane. The airplane wreckage was later located southeast of the intended alternate. Infrared weather satellite imagery showed areas of enhanced widespread cloud cover and cloud tops northwest of the accident location on the night of the accident. Dark night conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.