March 26, 1975: Cessna 310Q (N7683Q) Kaparowitz Plateau, UT
ACCIDENT SYNOPSIS:
Snow showers and low visibility were in the forecast when this Cessna 310Q departed Escalante, Utah at 4:30 AM for a short flight to Page, Arizona. In good weather, the flight would normally take about 30 minutes to cover the 50 mile distance. 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. Dr. Ivan W. Kazan, age 53 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 where he was scheduled to perform a surgery at 6:30 AM.
As Dr. Kazan made his way south to Page, he found himself having to dodge snow showers while continuing to descend below the clouds. With less than ten miles from his destination, he ran into a wall of ice fog and snow showers. Loosing 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 the shoreline of Lake Powell. 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 terrific 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.
Read MoreSnow showers and low visibility were in the forecast when this Cessna 310Q departed Escalante, Utah at 4:30 AM for a short flight to Page, Arizona. In good weather, the flight would normally take about 30 minutes to cover the 50 mile distance. 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. Dr. Ivan W. Kazan, age 53 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 where he was scheduled to perform a surgery at 6:30 AM.
As Dr. Kazan made his way south to Page, he found himself having to dodge snow showers while continuing to descend below the clouds. With less than ten miles from his destination, he ran into a wall of ice fog and snow showers. Loosing 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 the shoreline of Lake Powell. 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 terrific 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 AIRCRAFT
The 1972 Cessna 310Q (N7683Q), S/N: 310Q0462 was almost new when the accident occurred during March of 1975.
THE PILOT
Dr. Ivan W. Kazan was a physician who regularly flew his Cessna 310 between his medical clinics in Page and Escalante. He was active in many civic groups, and served on the first Page Advisory Council back in 1964.
The yellow circle marks the location of the Cessna 310Q's main body of wreckage.
