# NTSB GAA17CA036: Cessna 172, N1706F, Carrabassett, ME, October 20, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2016, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Carrabassett, ME - Coordinates: 45.0825, -70.21389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0825&lon=-70.2139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94266 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94266/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94266 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA036 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after departure, he flew south along a river for about 5 miles. He then turned east toward his destination airport and needed to climb over a mountain ridge. During the climb, the landing gear impacted the top of trees; subsequently, the airplane nosed down and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after departure he flew south along a river for about five miles. He then turned east toward his destination airport, but needed to climb over a mountain ridge. During the climb, the landing gear impacted the top of trees; subsequently, the airplane nosed down and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1706F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1706F-2018-02-01), registration cancelled 2018-02-01, S/N 17255101, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255101 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 2164.7 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 2016 - Departed: B21, Carrabassett, ME - Destination: OLD, OLD TOWN, ME - Airport: B21, Sugarloaf Rgnl, runway 17, 2,900 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 18, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 125 total, 125 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KGNR, 35 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20161020021949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161020021949A), Oct 20, 2016: Cessna 172H, Kingfield, ME, Substantial damage. After short cruise segment 500' above valley, PIC elected to turn on course over rising terrain. PIC increased angle of attack and began climbing before adding… ## Other investigations on N1706F (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 CHI01LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA036), Nov 15, 2000: Cessna 172H (N1706F), Kalkaska, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on the ground. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's improper abort procedures, the sign, and the ditch. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 9, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94266. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455634&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 841 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449114&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.