# NTSB SEA01LA138: Cessna 120, N90077, Troutdale, OR, July 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2001, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Troutdale, OR - Coordinates: 45.520374, -122.350013 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5204&lon=-122.3500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Portland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA138 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadvertent visual flight rules ( VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) during cruise flight. Factors include his attention being diverted to the indications presented by his Global Positioning System (GPS), and low ceiling and clouds in the area he was transiting. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis While concentrating on flying just beyond the boundary of Class Delta airspace, the pilot focused in on the indications of his Global Positioning System (GPS), and inadvertently entered a low-level overcast cloud layer. Before he was able to initiate a 180 degree turn, the left wing of the aircraft impacted a tree. The pilot estimated that he was in the clouds for less than ten seconds when the aircraft collided with the tree. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2001, approximately 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 120, N90077, collided with trees about seven miles east of Troutdale, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The pilot departed Portland-Hillsboro Airport, Hillsboro, Oregon, about 30 minutes prior to the accident, and was en route to Baker City, Oregon. The 14 CFR, Part 91 personal cross-country flight, which the pilot intended to conduct under visual meteorological conditions, inadvertently entered instrument meteorological conditions just prior to impacting the trees. No flight plan had been filed. The ELT, which was activated by the impact sequence, was turned off at the scene. According to the pilot, he intended to fly just beyond the southern border of Troutdale Airport's Class Delta airspace, and then enter the west end of the Columbia Gorge at 1,500 feet MSL. At the time of the accident, the overcast layer covering the west end of the gorge was lower than what had been forecast for the airport itself. In his efforts to keep clear of the Class Delta airspace, the pilot became focused on the indications of his hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS), and inadvertently entered the overcast. When he realized he had entered the clouds, he switched his attention to the aircraft's attitude indicator, with the intention of making a 180 degree turn. However, the instrument had tumbled, and was not useable as a point of attitude reference. The pilot therefore immediately switched his attention to his turn coordinator, and was about to initiate a turn when the aircraft's left wing impacted a tree. The pilot estimated that it was less than 10 seconds after he entered the clouds that the aircraft collided with the trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90077](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90077-2002-01-11), registration cancelled 2002-01-11, S/N 9138, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9138 - Airframe hours: 5344 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James A. Caufield, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 2001, 25 hours before - Departed: HIO, Hillsboro, OR - Destination: BKE, Baker City, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 23, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 534 total, 214 in this make and model, 398 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KTTD, 7 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 20010721016509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010721016509A), Jul 21, 2001: Cessna 120, Troutdale, OR, No damage. (.19) On July 21, 2001, approximately 0900 pacific daylight time, a Cessna 120, N90077, collided with trees about seven miles east of Troutdale, Oregon. The… 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.