On March 29, 1993, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N63888) operated by Ryan, Lawrence J. was involved in an aviation accident near Estacada, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE (AND/OR ALTITUDE) FROM MOUTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, CLOUDS, LOW CEILINGS, AND THE HIGH (MOUNTAINOUS) TERRAIN IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft departed Troutdale Airport on a dark night and, after takeoff, flew toward rising terrain. It impacted trees on mountainous terrain during a climbing right turn at an elevation of about 4200 feet.
Accident Overview
An aircraft departed Troutdale Airport on a dark night. After takeoff, the pilot proceeded along a course that took the aircraft toward rising terrain. The aircraft eventually impacted trees on mountainous terrain during a climbing right turn. The right turn was bringing the heading of the aircraft toward a course which would have been more consistent with a route to the intended destination. The impact occurred at an elevation of about 4200 feet.
Weather Conditions
About 30 miles northwest at the departure airport, which has an elevation of 35 feet, the weather at 2146 was reported as: 3500 feet broken cloud layer, visibility 15 miles, wind from 270 degrees at 8 knots.
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