# NTSB SEA05LA145: Cessna 172N, N120ER, Bonners Ferry, ID, July 17, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 2005, 14:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Bonners Ferry, ID
- Coordinates: 48.75, -116.493057
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7500&lon=-116.4931&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61998
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61998/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA145

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering.  Mountainous terrain was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he flew up a canyon and was unable to maintain clearance from the rising terrain.  The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 2005, about 1425 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N120ER, registered to and operated by Northern Air Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with mountainous terrain located approximately nine nautical miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft was substantially damaged and the certified private pilot received minor injuries.  The passenger was seriously injured.  The flight departed from Bonners Ferry about two hours prior to the accident.

During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he flew up a canyon and was unable to maintain clearance from the rising terrain.  The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N120ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120ER-2006-04-05), registration cancelled 2006-04-05, S/N 17269535, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269535
- Airframe hours: 7079
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Northern Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005
- Departed: 65S, Bonners Ferry, ID
- Destination: 1S1, Port Hill, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review January 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 81 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 20050717016469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050717016469A), Jul 17, 2005: Cessna 172N, Bonners Ferry, ID, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was flying west of the Bonners Ferry, Idaho airport. He stated he wanted to show his passenger [privacy data omitted] the mountain lake they had…

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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