Cessna 320D N320KP

Summary

On 23 May 2009 at about 02:35 local time, a Cessna 320D registered N320KP was involved in an accident near Fallon, Nevada, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 May 2009 at 02:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Fallon, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Fallon Municipal Airport (FLX)

Coordinates

39.5039, -118.7381

Aircraft

Cessna 320D

Registration

N320KP

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fresno → Fallon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

WPR09FA258

4 people died.

The pilot’s inadequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported seeing the airplane approach the airport from the southwest and cross near mid-field to enter the left traffic pattern for landing. Witnesses observed the airplane make a right 270-degree turn to enter on the downwind and, after becoming established on the downwind, make a sharp left turn and descend out of sight near a point consistent with a turn to a close-in base leg. Witnesses then reported seeing a fireball erupt in the area of the accident site. On the downwind leg, at a radar-recorded ground speed of 93 to 106 knots, the airplane's indicated airspeed could have been between 71 and 81 knots, which is in the range of potential stall speeds. Ground scar and wreckage signatures were consistent with a nose-low and left-wing-low ground impact. The witness observations and the impact attitude could be consistent with a stall and loss of control. No anomalies or other conditions were found with either engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.