# NTSB SEA68A0045: Cessna 172B, N8051X, Bellingham, WA, January 2, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 2, 1968
- Place: Bellingham, WA · BELLINGHAM, WA
- Location: 48.7534° N, 122.4702° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bellingham, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7534&lon=-122.4702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 112249
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA68A0045
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68A0045

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0104   68/1/2    BELLINGHAM,WASH     CESSNA 172B         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 37, 317
        TIME - 1345                    N8051X              PX-  1  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 200 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - GLASSY WATER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQUIPPED. WIND CALM ON LAKE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8051X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8051X), registered now, S/N 17248551, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

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.
