# NTSB SEA00LA113: Cessna 172M, N9895V, Wallace, ID, June 22, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2000, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Wallace, ID - Coordinates: 47.609165, -115.909667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6092&lon=-115.9097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51326 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51326/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Related factors were trees and mountainous terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while reversing course in a valley, the airspeed was 80-90 knots while in the 30 degree banking turn. As the aircraft came out of the turn, the stall warning horn sounded and the aircraft lost altitude. The pilot noted that the airspeed had dropped and was 'well below 60 knots.' The pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed, however, the aircraft could not gain enough altitude to clear trees. The left wing and left side horizontal stabilizer collided with the tops of the trees. The aircraft was able to remain airborne, and the pilot flew the aircraft to a nearby airport and landed without further incident. The pilot reported that the weather was clear and the winds were light with, 'no turbulence or indications of up-or downdrafts, just light chops over a couple of mountain ridges I crossed.' ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2000, about 1045 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N9895V, registered to Intermountain Aviation LLC, and operated by Action Flying Service as a 14 CFR Part 91 flight for the purpose of aerial photography, collided with trees while maneuvering in a valley near Wallace, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and the three passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Kellogg, Idaho, about 45 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that he was flying low in the valley so that his right front seat passenger could take aerial photographs of the valley's drainage. During the last pass, the pilot flew up the valley about one mile above the target area before making a 30 degree right banking turn, and reversing course 180 degrees. As the aircraft came out of the turn, the stall warning horn sounded and the aircraft was losing altitude. The pilot noted that the airspeed dropped from 80-90 knots while in the turn, to "well below 60 knots." The pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed, as full power was already set. The flight was approaching trees on a shelf near the eastern side of the mountain that the aircraft could not climb over. With wings level, the left wing, left side wing strut, left main landing gear, and left side horizontal stabilizer collided with the tops of the trees. The aircraft was able to remain airborne as it continued to the lower terrain. The aircraft subsequently landed at the Kellogg airport without further incident. The pilot reported that the weather was clear and the winds were light with, "no turbulence or indications of up-or downdrafts, just light chops over a couple of mountain ridges I crossed." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9895V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9895V), registered now, S/N 17264550, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264550 - Airframe hours: 7554 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Action Flying Service - Registered owner: Intermountain Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 5, 2000, 33 hours before - Departed: S83, KELLOGG, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 9,300 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 20000622004939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000622004939A), Jun 22, 2000: Cessna 172M, Wallace, ID, No damage. (-23) Pilot was conducting photo flight mission at low altitude in mountainous terrain area. Pilot encountered what he described as wind shear, experiencing a… ## Other investigations on N9895V (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 SEA90LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA177), Sep 9, 1990: Cessna 172M (N9895V), Lewiston, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF A NOSE LANDING GEAR FORK, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND A NOSE-OVER AFTER AN EXCURSION FROM THE RUNWAY. 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.