LAX07CA242

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172B · Sisters, OR · August 7, 2007

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
August 6, 2007, 18:41 local (Aug 7, 2007, 01:41 UTC)
Place
Sisters, OR
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N7604XCessna 172B
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 31, 2007
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
Case key
66401

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectGo-around (vfr)
Object - tree(s)
Clearance - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Analysis

The airplane collided with trees during a go-around. When the pilot was on final approach he observed a person located near the side of the runway, and he initiated a go-around. He said that during the pull-up, a wind gust "pushed" the airplane in the direction of the person. The wind's direction was variable, and its estimated speed was 10 knots, with gusts to 15 knots. The pilot's attempt at turning the airplane was not successful. The airplane impacted trees located near the runway.

Factual narrative

On August 6, 2007, about 1841 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N7604X, collided with trees during a go-around at the Sisters Eagle Air (uncontrolled) Airport, Sisters, Oregon. The private pilot, who owned and operated the airplane, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged during the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Tillamook, Oregon, about 1630.

The pilot reported that when he was on final approach he observed a person located near the side of the runway, and he initiated a go-around. During the pull-up, a wind gust "pushed" the airplane in the direction of the person. The pilot further reported that he attempted to turn the airplane by moving the ailerons and rudder, but the airplane would not respond. Also, the airplane's altitude was inadequate to fly over trees located near the airport, and a collision ensued.

The pilot reported that the wind's direction was variable. Its speed was 10 knots, with gusts to 15 knots.

The pilot indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he concentrated his attention on flying the airplane instead directing his attention toward the bystander.

Aircraft

Registration
N7604X
Reported as
Cessna 172B
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17248104
Engine
Continental O-300-D, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Thomas J. Barrier, III
Registered owner
Thomas J. Barrier, III
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
Departed
TMK · Tillamook, OR
Destination
6K5 · Sisters, OR
Flight plan
VFR
Airport
6K5 · Sisters, runway 02, 3,550 × 30 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
53
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3
Flight hours
139 total · 78 in this make and model · 39 in the last 90 days · 16 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
75 °F