# Accident 20041029028239A: Cessna 172P, Olympia, WA, October 29, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 29, 2004, 23:55 local time
- Place: Olympia, WA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.0019° N, 123.0664° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0019&lon=-123.0664&mi=10
- Aircraft: N53161, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53161-2005-05-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172P (registry code 2072436, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Reported engine: LYC O320D2J
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA05FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05FA013) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041029028239A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON OCTOBER 29, 2004, ABOUT 2355 PST, N53161, A CESSNA 172P AIRCRAFT, COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN ABOUT SIX MILES WEST OF THE OLYMPIA, WA AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE WEATHER AT OLYMPIA AIRPORT WAS REPORTING VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED PAINE FIELD IN EVERETT, WA. HEADING FOR TROUTDALE, OR. THE PILOT WAS USING FLIGHT FOLLOWING AND REPORTED TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL THAT SHE WAS IN WEATHER. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN ABOUT 2353. THE CRASH SITE INVESTIGATION AND THE FOLLOW-UP ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES. A POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE COCKPIT AREA.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA05FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05FA013), Oct 30, 2004: Cessna 172P (N53161), Olympia, WA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in known adverse weather conditions. Clouds, rain, high wind, dark night, trees, mountainous terrain and the pilot's…

## Other reports on N53161 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19940429015759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940429015759A), Apr 29, 1994: Cessna 172P (N53161), Portland, OR, Substantial damage. Flared high floated. Dropped to runway. Bounced and porpoised. Taxied off runway when bouncing stopped.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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