What happened
On March 6, 2023, a Cessna T182T, registration N24289, crashed near Queets, Washington, resulting in 1 fatality.
The aircraft departed Tacoma Narrows Airport (TIW) at approximately 1735 Pacific standard time. Preliminary ADS-B data indicated the flight initially moved south before turning west. Radar track data later showed the aircraft continued on a westbound track for 24 miles, then turned to a northwesterly track for an additional 43 miles. The final radar return was recorded at 1815, approximately 10 miles east of Queets.
Following reports from family members, a multi-agency search was initiated. While the aircraft was not located immediately, wreckage was discovered on April 10, 2023, about one mile north of the last known radar target.
At the time of the flight, weather conditions included instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with light rain and broken to overcast clouds. Meteorological models indicated the presence of moderate icing conditions between 2,500 and 5,000 feet, with layers of mixed and rime ice extending up to 11,000 feet. Radar observations also showed moderate intensity echoes along the flight path.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the airframe and engine found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation. The aircraft wreckage was located in a 30-foot-wide tree well within heavily wooded terrain. The impact sequence involved several trees, with the first point of impact being a tree topped at 36 feet.
Investigators noted that the pilot's transponder may have been turned off shortly after departure. While toxicology testing of the pilot's tissue detected ethanol, the presence of other volatiles such as n-butanol, isopropanol, and acetone suggested that the detected ethanol levels might have originated from sources other than recent alcohol consumption. Consequently, investigators could not definitively determine if ethanol impairment contributed to the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered instrument meteorological conditions and icing during the flight.
- The pilot failed to maintain clearance from terrain.