# NTSB SEA04LA049: Cessna 172M, N1883V, Eltopia, WA, March 14, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 2004, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Eltopia, WA - Coordinates: 46.444999, -119.111663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4450&lon=-119.1117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58892/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA049 ## Probable cause Remedial action delayed during the takeoff roll. Factors include rough/uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane developed a rough running engine while in a cruise flight configuration. After unsuccessful attempts to correct the situation or determine the cause of the rough running engine, the pilot made a precautionary landing to a nearby open field. After landing in the field, the pilot checked the airplane's systems stating "...I ran the engine rpm up and down searching for any kind of noticeable miss or any other tell-tale sign that there may be a problem." After checking various systems, the pilot attempted a takeoff from the field. He stated that during the takeoff roll, "...the airplane rose into ground effect, but then drifted down out of it, coming back down to the earth." The pilot stated that he aborted the takeoff, however, during the rollout the airplane encountered rising terrain and become airborne. He stated that when the airplane touched down the second time, it encountered rough uneven terrain and nosed down. The nose gear collapsed during the accident sequence. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 2004, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172M, N1883V, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from an alfalfa field near Eltopia, Washington. The airplane is owned by Kennewick Aircraft Services, Inc, Kennewick, Washington, and was being piloted by the private pilot as a cross-country flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger of the airplane were not injured. The flight originated from Vista Field, Kennewick, Washington, approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot's planned destination was Spokane, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. In a written statement dated March 14, 2004, the pilot stated that the airplane developed a rough running engine while in a cruise flight configuration. After unsuccessful attempts to correct the situation or determine the cause of the rough running engine, the pilot made a precautionary landing to a nearby open field. After landing in the field, the pilot checked the airplane's systems stating "...I ran the engine rpm up and down searching for any kind of noticeable miss or any other tell-tale sign that there may be a problem." The pilot stated that after checking various systems, he concluded that "...everything seemed to be working fine" and elected to attempt a takeoff from the field. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, "...the airplane rose into ground effect, but then drifted down out of it, coming back down to the earth." The pilot stated that he aborted the takeoff, however, during the rollout the airplane encountered rising terrain and became airborne. He stated that when the airplane touched down the second time, it encountered rough uneven terrain and nosed down. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1883V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1883V-2010-03-02), registration cancelled 2010-03-02, S/N 17263780, built 1975 (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: 17263780 - Airframe hours: 6030.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kennewick Aircraft Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2004, 36 hours before - Departed: S98, KENNEWICK, WA - Destination: SFF, SPOKANE, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review December 20, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 96 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KPSC, 15 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 20040314004059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040314004059A), Mar 14, 2004: Cessna 172M, Eltopia, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed kennewick airport and approximately 15 miles north of pasco had engine RPM drop from cruise of 2400 to 1800 and start running rough. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N1883V (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 WPR10CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA089), Dec 24, 2009: Cessna 172M (N1883V), Albion, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering in gusting winds. 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.