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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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February 13, 1986 · Cessna 303 · N4877V

Shippenville, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Shippenville, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 303
Tail Number
N4877V
Operator
Steel City Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA074

N4877V ARRIVED OVER CLARION COUNTY AIRPORT AT ABOUT 2100 HOURS, AND COMMENCED A VISUAL APPROACH FOR LANDING. MARGINAL VISUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED BY ANOTHER PILOT WAITING ON THE GROUND FOR THE AIRCRAFT. THIS PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN THROUGH A BREAK IN THE CLOUDS AS IT TURNED LEFT, SOUTHWEST, AS IF TO ESTABLISH A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 05. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED IN A WOODED AREA SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO INDICATE ANY MALFUNCTION OR SYSTEM FAILURE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND THE WRECKAGE WAS CONFINED TO AN AREA INDICATIVE WITH A STALL TYPE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

N4877V ARRIVED OVER CLARION COUNTY AIRPORT AT ABOUT 2100 HOURS, AND COMMENCED A VISUAL APPROACH FOR LANDING. MARGINAL VISUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED BY ANOTHER PILOT WAITING ON THE GROUND FOR THE AIRCRAFT. THIS PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN THROUGH A BREAK IN THE CLOUDS AS IT TURNED LEFT, SOUTHWEST, AS IF TO ESTABLISH A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 05. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED IN A WOODED AREA SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO INDICATE ANY MALFUNCTION OR SYSTEM FAILURE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND THE WRECKAGE WAS CONFINED TO AN AREA INDICATIVE WITH A STALL TYPE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 EST
Nearest AirportClarion County (2nm SW)
Runway23
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 303
Tail NumberN4877V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSteel City Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-E · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 9 kt
Visibility2 sm
Ceiling900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 9 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data