# NTSB SEA00LA054: Cessna 172N, N229CP, Quincy, WA, March 22, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 2000, 13:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, WA
- Coordinates: 47.080196, -119.859718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0802&lon=-119.8597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA054

## Probable cause

Failure to maintain terrain clearance.  Factors include mountainous/hilly terrain.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain in a mountainous area. The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that he had been looking at elk when he turned up a draw with rising terrain.  He started with ten degrees of flaps, increasing flaps to 30 degrees, then full flaps before colliding with rising terrain straight ahead.  An FAA inspector noted that the airplane had apparently flown straight up the center of the draw before crashing.

## Factual narrative

On March 22, 2000, approximately 1350 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172, N229CP, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain in mountainous terrain near Quincy, Washington.  The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured.  No flight plan was originated for the flight, which had departed Moses Lake, Washington, about 1300.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The flight was to be conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that he had been looking at elk when he turned up a draw with rising terrain.  He started with ten degrees of flaps, increasing flaps to 30 degrees, then full flaps before colliding with rising terrain straight ahead.  An FAA inspector noted that the airplane had apparently flown straight up the center of the draw before crashing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N229CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N229CP-2002-05-29), registration cancelled 2002-05-29, S/N 17271223, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-71223
- Airframe hours: 5700
- Engines: Continental O-320H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Columbia Pacific Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MWH, MOSES LAKE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 320 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KMW

## 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 20000322006259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000322006259A), Mar 22, 2000: Cessna 172N, Quincy, WA, No damage. (-23) Pilot and passenger were observing elk on the ground during the flight. Pilto was preoccupied wiht the ground observation and failed to properly manage…

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.

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