# NTSB SEA82AA126: Cessna 172, N2428E, Mercer Island, WA, July 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1982, 21:02 local (Jul 23, 1982, 04:02 UTC)
- Place: Mercer Island, WA
- Coordinates: 47.559509, -122.220016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5595&lon=-122.2200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82AA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71662/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82AA126

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

N2428E, A C-172, HAD DEPARTED SEA-TAC ARPT FOR A VFR FLT TO SNOHOMISH, WA, ABOUT 27 MI ON THE 355 DEG RADIAL FROM THE SEA-TAC VORTAC. IT PROCEEDED NNW OVER THE WEST SHORE OF MERCER ISLAND LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 10 MI NORTH OF THE SEA-TAC ARPT. N761EL, A C-A152, WAS SOUTHWEST BOUND PREPARING FOR ENTRY INTO THE BOEING FIELD ARPT TRAFFIC AREA. THE PLT'S LAST RADIO CONTACT HAD BEEN A POSITION REPORT TO BOEING FIELD TOWER. BOEING FIELD IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 5 MI NNW OF SEA-TAC ARPT. THE TWO ACFT COLLIDED ABOUT 1500 FT MSL OVER THE NW END OF MERCER ISLAND. THE COLLISION POINT IS ABOUT 5 MI NE OF BOEING FIELD. THE BLOCK OF TCA AIRSPACE OVER THE CRASH SITE HAS A "FLOOR" OF 3000 FT. THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT A LAT OF 47-35N & LONG OF 122-15W.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N2428E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2428E-1984-06-15), registration cancelled 1984-06-15, S/N 17271279 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271279
- Airframe hours: 845
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Snohomish Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Richard Harvey
- Departed: SEA, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: S43, SNOHOIMSH, WA

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N761EL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761EL-2013-11-12), registration cancelled 2013-11-12, S/N A1520945, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A152
- Registry model: [Cessna A152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a152) (registry code 2071836) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1520945
- Airframe hours: 640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Galvin Flying Service
- Registered owner: Robert O. Thompson, Jr.
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N2428E; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 750 total, 700 as pilot in command
- Pilot, aircraft N761EL; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,362 total, 39 in this make and model, 795 as pilot in command, 143 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Temperature: 147 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFJ, 5 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820722060421A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820722060421A), Jul 22, 1982: Cessna 172N, Mercer Island, WA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Collided with a Cessna 152, N7615L, while en route in level flight.152 was tower contact descending to Boeing field
- [Accident 19820722060422A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820722060422A), Jul 22, 1982: Cessna A152, Mercer Island, WA, Destroyed. Collided with a Cessna 172, N2428E. While descending to land at Boeing field. Was in tower contact. Evasive action.

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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