# NTSB SEA03LA049: Cessna 172G, N4150L, Packwood, WA, March 24, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 2003, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Packwood, WA - Coordinates: 46.606666, -121.666664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6067&lon=-121.6667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56672 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56672/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA049 ## Probable cause Loss of partial engine power for undetermined reasons during the initial climb after takeoff. Loose gravel/sandy was a factor during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) - terrain condition - water - Nose gear collapsed, emergency landing - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The non certificated pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, he did not feel that the aircraft was "climbing like normal" and chose to initiate a precautionary off airport landing beyond the departure end of the runway. During the landing roll in a gravel pit area, the airplane traveled through a large puddle of water. The nose landing gear sheared off and the airplane subsequently nosed over. Witnesses stated that the engine sounded like it was "cutting out." The pilot did not provide requested maintenance information and the reason for the possible partial loss of power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 2003, at 1130 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172G, N4150L, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff from the Packwood Airstrip, Packwood, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the non certificated pilot was not injured. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge, the pilot reported that shortly after takeoff from runway 19, he did not feel that the aircraft was "climbing like normal" and chose to initiate an off airport precautionary landing beyond the departure end of the runway. During the landing roll in a gravel pit area, the airplane traveled through a large puddle of water. The nose landing gear sheared off and the airplane subsequently nosed over. Damage to the aircraft included wingtip damage to both wings that extended inboard two to three feet. The top of the vertical stabilizer was bent over to the left side extending down to about three feet. The right side wing lift strut was bent and broken about mid range, and wrinkles in the skin on the bottom side of both wings near the wing roots were noted. Witnesses in the area reported to Lewis County Sheriff's Office personnel that the engine sounded like it was "cutting out," shortly before the aircraft was observed to descend to the gravel pit. Shortly after the accident, the pilot was sent the National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form 6120.1/2. The pilot did not return the form nor provide requested maintenance record information, and another one was sent on May 19, 2003. To this date, the pilot has not returned the form or requested information to the NTSB. A search of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airmen records indicated that the pilot does not hold a pilot certificate. The FAA medical records indicated that on December 29, 1987, the pilot held a third class medical certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4150L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4150L), registered now, S/N 17254219, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254219 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas L. Campbell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 55S, Packwood, WA - Destination: 1S0, Puyallup, WA - Airport: 55S, Packwood, runway 19, 2,262 × 38 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 55 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: TDO, 45 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 20030324004809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030324004809A), Mar 24, 2003: Cessna 172G, Packwood, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On take-off from Packwood Airport, pilot felt that the engine did not sound right, and landed aircraft past the end of the runway. Aircraft flipped over.… 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.