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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 4, 1988 · Cessna 320D · N9HS

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 320D
Tail Number
N9HS
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA245

THE PILOT EXECUTED A LEFT (SOUTH) CROSSWIND DEPARTURE TOWARDS HIGHER TERRAIN AFTER DEPARTING RUNWAY 27; THE PLT WAS FOLLOWING A SLOWER SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE THAT HAD PRECEDED HIS DEPARTURE. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED THE HIGHER TERRAIN IT ENTERED INTO A LEFT BANKING TURN. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS OSCILLATED RAPIDLY. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER OF CALIF STATE HWY 395 WHICH IS ADJACENT TO & PARALLELS THE EAST/WEST RUNWAY. THE POST ACCIDENT AIRPLANE/ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE AIRPLANE HAD EXCEEDED ITS MAX GROSS T.O. WEIGHT AND IT WAS NEAR ITS AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS. THE PLT HAD COMPLAINED TO HIS DR. ABOUT EPISODES OF FORGETFULNESS AND CONFUSION. THE DR. RECOMMENDED THAT THE PILOT CEASE ANY FLYING ACTIVITIES UNTIL HIS MEDICAL CONDITION WAS DIAGNOSED AND TREATED. THE PLT DID NOT HEED THE DRS. ADVICE.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT EXECUTED A LEFT (SOUTH) CROSSWIND DEPARTURE TOWARDS HIGHER TERRAIN AFTER DEPARTING RUNWAY 27; THE PLT WAS FOLLOWING A SLOWER SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE THAT HAD PRECEDED HIS DEPARTURE. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED THE HIGHER TERRAIN IT ENTERED INTO A LEFT BANKING TURN. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS OSCILLATED RAPIDLY. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER OF CALIF STATE HWY 395 WHICH IS ADJACENT TO & PARALLELS THE EAST/WEST RUNWAY. THE POST ACCIDENT AIRPLANE/ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE AIRPLANE HAD EXCEEDED ITS MAX GROSS T.O. WEIGHT AND IT WAS NEAR ITS AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS. THE PLT HAD COMPLAINED TO HIS DR. ABOUT EPISODES OF FORGETFULNESS AND CONFUSION. THE DR. RECOMMENDED THAT THE PILOT CEASE ANY FLYING ACTIVITIES UNTIL HIS MEDICAL CONDITION WAS DIAGNOSED AND TREATED. THE PLT DID NOT HEED THE DRS. ADVICE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:52 PDT
Nearest AirportMammoth/June Lakes (1nm W)
Runway27
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 320D
Tail NumberN9HS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-B · Reciprocating · 280
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 20 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data