# NTSB SEA83FA087: Cessna 172P, N52363, 2nm E. Of Blyn, WA, April 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1983, 20:30 local (Apr 21, 1983, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: 2nm E. Of Blyn, WA
- Coordinates: 48.059024, -123.059539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0590&lon=-123.0595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39605/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA087

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLTS HAD RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FROM SEATTLE FSS EARLIER IN THE DAY FOR A FLT FROM SEATTLE TO PORT ANGELES. DUE TO THE TIME SPAN BETWEEN ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE AT PORT ANGELES, THE WX BRIEFING WAS NOT VALID FOR THE RETURN FLT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WEST SLOPE OF RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN AT 1,780 FT MSL. THE GENERAL AREA IS UNPOPULATED & THERE ARE VIRTUALLYNO LIGHT SOURCES TO PROVIDE REFERENCE WHILE FLYING AT NIGHT. AN AIRLINE CAPTAIN REPORTED A SCATTERED TO BROKEN LAYER AT 1,800 FT MSL & AN OVERCAST LAYER AT 4,000 FT MSL. VFR TRAFFIC FROM PORT ANGELES TO SEATTLE NORMALLY FOLLOW A ROUTING WHICH DEPARTS PORT ANGELES EASTBOUND ALONG THE NORTH COASTAL AREA OF THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA. THE ROUTE THEN TURNS SE NEARDISCOVERY BAY & PROCEEDS INLAND OVER RELATIVLY LOW TERRAIN TOWARDS SEATTLE. UNDER FAVORABLE WX CONDITIONS TRAFFIC WILL ALSO PROCEED SE AT SEQUIM BAY (PRIOR TO DISCOVERY BAY). THE TERRAIN SOUTH OF SEQUIM BAY CLIMBS RAPIDLY AS THE NE CORNER OF THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAIN RANGE IS APPROACHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52363](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52363-1985-05-08), registration cancelled 1985-05-08, S/N 17274502 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274502
- Airframe hours: 466
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael H. Ream
- Registered owner: Norman L. Ream
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1982, 89 hours before
- Departed: CLM, PORT ANGELES, WA
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 115 total, 21 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAE, 28 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 19830420017449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830420017449A), Apr 20, 1983: Cessna 172P, Blyn, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft collided with upsloping terrain at 1780 feet elevation. There were no ground lights in vicinity.

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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