# NTSB IAD96LA149: Cessna 172P, N848LF, Richwood, WV, September 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1996, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Richwood, WV - Coordinates: 38.219852, -80.530853 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2199&lon=-80.5309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28110 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28110/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA149 ## Probable cause improper in-flight planning/decision by the flight crew, and inadequate supervision by the check pilot, which resulted in the flight crew's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from trees on rising terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: rising/mountainous terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, climb - in-flight planning/decision - improper, flightcrew (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, flightcrew - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, flightcrew (cause) ## Analysis Two pilots and a CAP check pilot were on an instructional flight at a CAP sponsored mountain flying clinic. The left seat pilot was on his first mission at the clinic. The right seat pilot was a CAP check pilot and was providing instruction on contour mountain searches. While flying at about 500 feet below a ridge at 70 knots with 10 degrees of flaps, the occupants noticed that the terrain was rising in front of them. The check pilot directed the left seat pilot to apply full power, climb, and fly straight-ahead. The airplane impacted trees in a wings level climbing attitude and came to rest inverted in the trees. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 21, 1996, at about 0945 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N848LF, operated by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as an instructional flight, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees approximately 100 feet below a ridge line near Richwood, West Virginia. The pilot, CAP Check Pilot, and one passenger were not injured. The local flight originated from Beckley, West Virginia, at 0835. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, CAP Check Pilot and passenger stated that the pilot was flying his first student mission at the CAP's Mountain flying clinic. The CAP Check Pilot was in the right seat and was providing instruction on contour mountain searches. They were flying about 500 feet below a ridge, which was on their right. They said they were flying at about 70 knots with 10 degrees of flaps when the terrain began to rise in front of them. The Check Pilot directed the pilot to apply full power, climb and fly straight-ahead and that a turn or wingover would not help. The aircraft impact trees in a wings level climbing flight attitude. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION/DOCUMENTATION The aircraft came to rest inverted, hanging in the trees 12 feet above the ground. The left wing was separated just outboard of the left wing strut. Both wings and the empannage were wrinkled. No pre-existing damage was noted during the examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N848LF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N848LF-1997-03-21), registration cancelled 1997-03-21, S/N 17276154 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-761-54 - Airframe hours: 1705 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 4, 1996, 82 hours before - Departed: BKW, BECKLEY, WV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,532 total, 161 in this make and model, 1,302 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CRW ## 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 19960921047569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960921047569A), Sep 21, 1996: Cessna 172P, Richwood, WV, Destroyed. (-16) The aircraft was being operated by the civil air patrol and was engaging in practice search and rescue missions which involved contour mountain searches.… 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.