Cessna 140 N3160N

Summary

On 9 January 2010 at about 16:45 local time, a Cessna 140 registered N3160N, operated by Samuel D McGowan, was involved in an accident near Chico, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 January 2010 at 16:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Chico, California, United States

Nearest airport

Ranchaero (O23)

Coordinates

39.7167, -121.8667

Aircraft

Cessna 140

Registration

N3160N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Samuel D McGowan

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chico → Willows

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10CA106

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in low visibility conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

About an hour prior to the flight the pilot checked the surface observation report for the nearest airport, which was about 5 miles to the northeast. He stated that it indicated an indefinite ceiling of 200 feet and visibility of 3 miles with fog and ground fog. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for the same airport was issued at the approximate time of the accident and reported, in part, winds from 130 degrees at 5 knots, visibility of 1 3/4 miles with mist, and skies with a 200-foot indefinite ceiling. The pilot stated that the visibility was good on the ground. As the airplane took off and climbed, he realized that the visibility went to zero. He turned around, attempting to get back to the airport, and he descended to get low enough under the fog to see the airport. There were trees on the east side of the airport, and he tried to stay above them while looking for the runway. He was on left downwind for runway 14 and turning base when the right wing hit a branch and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. The right wing and empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane or engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.