# NTSB SEA83LA053: Cessna 172P, N52243, Winthrop, WA, January 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1983, 09:56 local (17:56 UTC)
- Place: Winthrop, WA
- Coordinates: 48.499298, -120.330917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4993&lon=-120.3309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CRASH-LANDED IN THE SNOW AFTER THE PILOT FLEW INTO A BOX CANYON. THE PILOT WAS FOLLOWING A HIGHWAY OVERSNOW COVERED TERRAIN AND TOOK A WRONG TURN. BY THE TIME THE ERROR WAS REALIZED, IT WAS TOO LATE TO REVERSE COURSE OR CLIMB OUT. A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED INTO A SNOW FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N52243 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172 74453
- Airframe hours: 920
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Galvin Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: James E. Sommerhouse
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 31, 1982, 25 hours before
- Departed: OMK, OMAK, WA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 88 total, 17 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F

## 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 19830131002889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830131002889A), Jan 31, 1983: Cessna 172P, Winthrop, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot turned into box canyon and aircraft was unable to climb and clear rising terrrain.

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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