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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 2, 1990 · Cessna T210L · N59291

Ashford, WA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1990
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Location
Ashford, WA
Aircraft
Cessna T210L
Tail Number
N59291
Operator
Aerowest Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA90FA122

DURING A VFR FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC FLIGHT FOLLOWING THAT A HIGHER ALTITUDE WAS NECESSARY TO REMAIN VFR. ATC APPROVED AND INQUIRED IF THE PILOT HAD MOUNT RAINIER IN SIGHT. THE PILOT REPLIED NEGATIVE BUT THAT THEY WERE VFR ON TOP. ABOUT 15 MIN LATER, AND 5 MI SSW OF MOUNT RAINIER, ATC INQUIRED IF THE PILOT HAD MOUNT RAINIER IN SIGHT. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THIS OR THE NEXT TWO ATC TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN THE PILOT FINALLY RESPONDED TO THE FOURTH TRANSMISSION, ATC ADVISED THAT THE FLIGHT MAKE AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN TO A HEADING OF 310, AND TO VERIFY UNLESS MOUNT RAINIER WAS IN SIGHT. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE TRANSMISSION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO MOUNT RAINIER AT THE 12,700-FT LEVEL. A CLIMBER, ON THE MOUNTAIN AT THE THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, REPORTED THAT VISIBILITY WAS 50 YARDS WITH HIGH WINDS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

DURING A VFR FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC FLIGHT FOLLOWING THAT A HIGHER ALTITUDE WAS NECESSARY TO REMAIN VFR. ATC APPROVED AND INQUIRED IF THE PILOT HAD MOUNT RAINIER IN SIGHT. THE PILOT REPLIED NEGATIVE BUT THAT THEY WERE VFR ON TOP. ABOUT 15 MIN LATER, AND 5 MI SSW OF MOUNT RAINIER, ATC INQUIRED IF THE PILOT HAD MOUNT RAINIER IN SIGHT. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THIS OR THE NEXT TWO ATC TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN THE PILOT FINALLY RESPONDED TO THE FOURTH TRANSMISSION, ATC ADVISED THAT THE FLIGHT MAKE AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN TO A HEADING OF 310, AND TO VERIFY UNLESS MOUNT RAINIER WAS IN SIGHT. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE TRANSMISSION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO MOUNT RAINIER AT THE 12,700-FT LEVEL. A CLIMBER, ON THE MOUNTAIN AT THE THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, REPORTED THAT VISIBILITY WAS 50 YARDS WITH HIGH WINDS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:55 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T210L
Tail NumberN59291
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAerowest Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-H-4A · Reciprocating · 285
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data