# NTSB SEA02LA056: Cessna 120, N77301, Deer Park, WA, March 17, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 2002, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Deer Park, WA
- Coordinates: 47.966667, -117.426666
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9667&lon=-117.4267&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA - FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 54449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54449/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54449
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA056

## Probable cause

Loss of directional control while landing.  A drainage ditch was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
- Nose down, landing

## Analysis

The private pilot reported that the airplane "bounced" (during a simulated crosswind landing) and directional control was lost.  After the bounced landing, the airplane veered to the left (west), exited the runway and collided with a drainage ditch.

## Factual narrative

On March 17, 2002, approximately 1545 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 120 airplane, N77301, registered to Dewpoint Aviation LLC of Deer Park, Washington, and being operated by a private pilot on a 14 CFR 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged when the pilot lost directional control, went off the side of the runway and struck a ditch during landing practice on runway 34 at Deer Park, Washington.  The pilot, who was the airplane's sole occupant, received minor injuries in the accident.  Visual meteorological conditions with calm winds were reported at Deer Park at 1553, and no flight plan was filed for the flight.

The pilot reported that the airplane "bounced" (during a simulated crosswind landing) and directional control was lost.  After the bounced landing, the airplane veered to the left (west), exited the runway and collided with a drainage ditch.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77301](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77301-2005-03-30), registration cancelled 2005-03-30, S/N 11743, 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: 11743
- Airframe hours: 1259
- Engines: Continental C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Penelope L. Lewis
- Registered owner: Dewpoint Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2001, 48 hours before
- Departed: DEW, Deer Park, WA
- Destination: DEW
- Airport: DEW, Deer Park, runway 34, 6,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 11, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 843 total, 13 in this make and model, 618 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: DEW

## 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 20020317003959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020317003959A), Mar 17, 2002: Cessna 120, Deer Park, WA, No damage. (-23) The pilot made an approach to runwa 34 using a slip to practice a x-w landing. The aircraft was in a normal attitude through the flare, but with the…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 6, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54449. 315 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394868&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.

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