ACCIDENT SYNOPSIS:
Snow showers and low visibility were in the forecast when this Cessna 310Q departed Escalante, Utah for a short flight to Page, Arizona. The flight would take normally no more than 30 minutes to cover the 50 mile distance in good weather. However, the weather on the morning of March 26, 1975 was anything but good.
A cold front had moved into the region causing snow showers, low ceilings, and visibility to drop to less than one-half mile. The 53 year old pilot/doctor had 3,977 hours total flight time and an instrument rating. With his level of flying experience, he was sure that he would make it to Page without delaying any of his patient's appointments.
As the pilot made his way south to Page, he found himself having to dodge snow showers while continuing to descend below the clouds. Less than ten miles from his destination he ran into a wall of ice fog and snow showers. Loosing all sight of the terrain, his only option was to climb and hopefully fly away from the surrounding terrain.
Upon reaching an altitude of 6,500 feet and still flying in and out of the clouds, he probably felt safe catching an occasional glimpse of Lake Powell through the clouds. What he could not see however was the approaching vertical wall of sandstone from the 7,300 foot Kaparowitz Plateau. At 160 MPH, the final seconds of 83 Quebec and it's pilot consisted of a mere flash of light in the clouds followed by a thunderous explosion that echoed through the snow covered canyons.
With no witnesses of a crash, the whereabouts of 83 Quebec became a mystery and the search for the plane was eventually called off after two weeks. For nearly forty days the wreckage of 83 Quebec lay hidden under a blanket of snow.
Then on May 8th, a pilot sightseeing over the lake caught a glimpse of something reflecting on a sloping ledge. It was the disintegrated remains of N7683Q.
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HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
Today, the wreckage of N7683Q remains un-touched and most likely due to the remote location, un-visited since 1975.
A low pass recently made in a Cessna 182 revealed shredded, un-recognizable wreckage with white, black, and red painted surfaces. A partial "N" number was also visible. The crash site is surrounded above and below by steep cliffs several hundred feet tall. You may however find a route up without the use of ropes and climbing gear as some washouts appear passable but very steep.
If attempting a hike to this site you will need to boat to your starting point on Lake Powell and hike up from there. It will not be easy. There are no roads anywhere within ten miles of this site.
NOTE: The NTSB incorrectly has this crash site located in Escalante, New Mexico. No such place exists. It is in Utah just north of Lake Powell on the west slope of the Kaparowitz Plateau.
Snow showers and low visibility were in the forecast when this Cessna 310Q departed Escalante, Utah for a short flight to Page, Arizona. The flight would take normally no more than 30 minutes to cover the 50 mile distance in good weather. However, the weather on the morning of March 26, 1975 was anything but good.
A cold front had moved into the region causing snow showers, low ceilings, and visibility to drop to less than one-half mile. The 53 year old pilot/doctor had 3,977 hours total flight time and an instrument rating. With his level of flying experience, he was sure that he would make it to Page without delaying any of his patient's appointments.
As the pilot made his way south to Page, he found himself having to dodge snow showers while continuing to descend below the clouds. Less than ten miles from his destination he ran into a wall of ice fog and snow showers. Loosing all sight of the terrain, his only option was to climb and hopefully fly away from the surrounding terrain.
Upon reaching an altitude of 6,500 feet and still flying in and out of the clouds, he probably felt safe catching an occasional glimpse of Lake Powell through the clouds. What he could not see however was the approaching vertical wall of sandstone from the 7,300 foot Kaparowitz Plateau. At 160 MPH, the final seconds of 83 Quebec and it's pilot consisted of a mere flash of light in the clouds followed by a thunderous explosion that echoed through the snow covered canyons.
With no witnesses of a crash, the whereabouts of 83 Quebec became a mystery and the search for the plane was eventually called off after two weeks. For nearly forty days the wreckage of 83 Quebec lay hidden under a blanket of snow.
Then on May 8th, a pilot sightseeing over the lake caught a glimpse of something reflecting on a sloping ledge. It was the disintegrated remains of N7683Q.
***********************************************************************************************************************************
HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
Today, the wreckage of N7683Q remains un-touched and most likely due to the remote location, un-visited since 1975.
A low pass recently made in a Cessna 182 revealed shredded, un-recognizable wreckage with white, black, and red painted surfaces. A partial "N" number was also visible. The crash site is surrounded above and below by steep cliffs several hundred feet tall. You may however find a route up without the use of ropes and climbing gear as some washouts appear passable but very steep.
If attempting a hike to this site you will need to boat to your starting point on Lake Powell and hike up from there. It will not be easy. There are no roads anywhere within ten miles of this site.
NOTE: The NTSB incorrectly has this crash site located in Escalante, New Mexico. No such place exists. It is in Utah just north of Lake Powell on the west slope of the Kaparowitz Plateau.
The 1972 Cessna 310Q (N7683Q), S/N: 310Q0462 was almost new when the accident occured during March of 1975.
The southern tip of the Kaparowitz Plateau. The yellow circle against the cliff marks the location of the crash site.
This photo illustrates the rugged terrain of this region.
The yellow circle marks the location of the Cessna 310Q's main body of wreckage.
Upper and lower vertical cliffs 200 to 300 feet and a 45-50 degree slope best describes this crash site.
A closer view of the crash scene taken on August 28, 2009.
At the base of the cliff and directly below the impact point is a concentration of small wreckage fragments.
Circled are what appears to be the nose wheel tire and a door from one of the wing baggage compartments.
Circled are what appears to be the nose wheel tire and a door from one of the wing baggage compartments.
Visible on the steep slope and not far from the main body of wreckage is a separated main landing gear with wheel and tire.
This aft section of the 310's fragmented fuselage displays the aircraft registration number "N7683Q".
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