# NTSB SEA82FYP09: Cessna 172M, N72655, Wenatchee, WA, July 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1982, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Location: 47.4360° N, 120.3293° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wenatchee, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4360&lon=-120.3293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FYP09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYP09

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT, A GEOLOGIST, WAS ON A FLIGHT TO CHECK ROCK FORMATIONS. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING UP A CANYON AT LOW ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED. ABOUT 3/4 MILE FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE, TWO WITNESSES ON A ROCKY CLIFF AT ABOUT 3500 FT MSL SAW THE PLANE PASS BELOW THEIR ELEVATION, JUST ABOVE THE TREE TOPS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON A 35 DEG RISING SLOPE BETWEEN 2 PARKING LOTS AT A SKI LODGE. THE ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOUT 4500 FT MSL. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72655](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72655-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17267230, built 1976 (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: 17267230
- Airframe hours: 2289
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Avx Corporation
- Registered owner: Avx Corporation
- Departed: WENATCHEE, WA
- Destination: SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Pangborn Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 902 total, 530 in this make and model, 781 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 169 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820717029419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820717029419A), Jul 17, 1982: Cessna 172M, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Unable to outclimb rising terrain when flying up a canyon at tree top level. Struck a ravine trying to turn.

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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