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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 4, 2003 · Lockheed 402-2 · N3380G

Headquarters, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 2003
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Headquarters, ID
Aircraft
Lockheed 402-2
Tail Number
N3380G
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03LA127

With no refueler at departure airport, the pilot felt he had enough fuel to make it to his destination. En route he realized he would not have enough fuel to reach his destination and chose to return to the departure airport. Encountering a 25 knot headwind and realizing he would not have enough fuel to reach his destination, the pilot elected to make a precautionary landing at an old logging staging area/road. While attempting to land on the unused emergency strip, the aircraft encountered a downdraft and struck trees at the end of the runway. Both wings, the rudder, elevator, and both horizontal and vertical stabilizers sustained substantial damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper preflight planning and improper fuel consumption calculations. Factors contributing to the accident included the unfavorable wind condition, the downdraft, and the trees.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 2003, approximately 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Lockheed 402-2 single-engine airplane, N3380G, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while performing a precautionary landing near Headquarters, Idaho. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. The private pilot and his two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Orofino, Municipal Airport, Orofino, Idaho, at 1135, and was destined for the Missoula International Airport, Missoula, Montana. In a statement provided to an FAA inspector, and as reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot related that "obtaining gas at Orofino is difficult to impossible." The pilot reported there wasn't any fueler available, so he took off believing he had enough fuel for the trip. The pilot further stated that when he realized he would not have enough fuel to reach his destination, he chose to return to Orofino. En route back to Orofino the pilot encountered a 25 knot headwind. The pilot stated that now realizing he would not have enough fuel to reach Orofino, he elected to make a precautionary landing at an old logging staging area/road. The pilot related, "While attempting a landing on an unused emergency strip, I encountered a downdraft and struck trees at the end of the runway. When I realized I would not make it, I aimed between the trees where there was a small gap. The emergency landing was precautionary." The FAA inspector reported substantial damage to both wings, the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the rudder and the elevator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLockheed 402-2
Tail NumberN3380G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-470-B · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data