# NTSB SEA82FA111: Cessna 172F, N8230U, Oxbow, OR, July 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1982, 20:49 local (Jul 15, 1982, 03:49 UTC)
- Place: Oxbow, OR
- Coordinates: 44.989582, -116.870391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9896&lon=-116.8704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72127
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72127/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE FINAL APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO DESCEND TO APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET ABOVE THE RIVER AND THEN EXECUTE A PULLUP AND BEGIN A LEFT TURN TO EITHER REENTER A LEFT DOWNWIND OR REVERSE THE DIRECTION OF LANDING. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL, THE LEFT WING DROPPED, THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AT THE RIVER'S EDGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROXIMATELY 236 POUNDS OVER MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE COULD BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8230U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8230U-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N 17252130, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A&6V335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (registry code 27020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17252130
- Engines: FRANKLIN GAS-350-A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Hell'S Canyon Navigation Compa
- Registered owner: James W. Zanelli
- Departed: NEAR IMNAHA, OR
- Destination: FORT FAIRFIELD, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,490 total, 1,400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKE, 41 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 19820714028939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820714028939A), Jul 14, 1982: Cessna 172, Oxbow, OR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Stalled during slow,low altitude turn over river landing area. Aircraft burned on impact. Was over gross weight.

## Other investigations on N8230U (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 SEA66F0056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66F0056), Jul 2, 1965: Cessna 172 (N8230U), Vancouver, WA, 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.

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