NTSB Identification: SEA87FA166.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 34604.
Accident occurred Monday, August 17, 1987 in KETTLE FALLS, WA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/29/1988
Aircraft: CESSNA 172RG, registration: N9747B
Injuries: 1 Fatal,2 Serious.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.WHILE ON A LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT, PLT ENTERED A CANYON INTO RISING TERRAIN, COLLIDING FIRST WITH A TREE AND THEN GROUND NEAR CREST. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ACFT PROBABLY HAD PERFORMANCE TO CLEAR CREST HAD TREE NOT BEEN STRUCK. CIRCUMSTANCES INDICATE PLT MANEUVERED LEFT TOWARD A SADDLE AND PROBABLY LOST SIGHT OF THE TREE CLOSE TO THE LEFT WING. BOTH PLT AND PAX DO NOT RECALL CRASH SEQUENCE, HOWEVER A WITNESS ON THE GROUND OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN NORTH UP A CANYON AND WAS CONCERNED ENOUGH TO FOLLOW IT BY GROUND VEHICLE UP A CANYON ROAD.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
UNSUITABLE TERRAIN OR TAKEOFF/LANDING/TAXI AREA..SELECTED..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
CLEARANCE..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
VISUAL LOOKOUT..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..RISING
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..BLIND/BOX CANYON
Contributing Factors
OBJECT..TREE(S)
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH GEOGRAPHIC AREA..PILOT IN COMMAND
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