# NTSB SEA02LA054: Cessna 170B, N8065A, Rainier, WA, March 14, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 2002, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Rainier, WA - Coordinates: 46.900001, -122.668052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9000&lon=-122.6681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- Seattle FSDO, NM01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 54348 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54348/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54348 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA054 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper decent rate on approach. A factor was the trees in close proximity to the airport. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land to the southwest on a grass runway. As he cleared the tree line, the pilot reduced power and increased his sink rate. The pilot noticed that the aircraft was descending too fast and added power, however, the airplane continued to settle and collided with trees. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain approximately 100 feet short of the intended runway. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 2002, about 1400 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 170B, N8065A, sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees and terrain at Taylor Airport (3WA0), a private airstrip near Rainier, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane is owned by a private party, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Western Airpark, Yelm, Washington, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that as he cleared the trees on final approach, he "...eased the nose over and powered back to descend to the runway. The aircraft began to settle very fast (much more than usual), I added power, but before the power could take hold, the left wing struck a tree about 2 inches from the tip." The aircraft then collided with nearby trees as it fell to the ground, and came to rest nose down approximately 100 feet from the approach end of the runway. At 1354, the Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Olympia, Washington (KOLM), approximately 11 nautical miles west of the accident site, reported winds 220 degrees at 11 knots, few clouds at 2900 feet, broken clouds at 4800 feet, visibility 10 statue miles, temperature 6 degrees Celsius, dew point 1 degree Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.23 inches. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failure on the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8065A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8065A-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 20917, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20917 - Airframe hours: 2132.6 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 2002, 0.2 hours before - Departed: WA72, YELM, WA - Destination: 3WA0, RAINIER, WA - Airport: 3WA0, Taylor Airport, runway 15, 1,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 19,000 total, 15,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KOLM, 11 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 20020314006229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020314006229A), Mar 14, 2002: Cessna 170B, Yelm, WA, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated that on final approach he encountered a down draft, did not respond properly and collided with trees. ## Other investigations on N8065A (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 DEN72DTM13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72DTM13), Mar 18, 1972: Cessna 170B (N8065A), Monticello, UT, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54348. 326 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 326 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392684&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.