# NTSB SEA83LA068: Cessna 172H, N1498F, Inchelium, WA, May 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1983, 15:43 local (22:43 UTC)
- Place: Inchelium, WA
- Coordinates: 48.1991, -118.239585 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1991&lon=-118.2396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA068

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INTENDED LANDING AREA WAS A DIRT ROAD APRX 1500 FT LONG. AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS TO CHECK THE AREA, THE PLT MADE AN APPROACH OVER TREES TO LAND, BUT WAS TOO HIGH, SO HE WENT AROUND. ON THE 3RD PASS, HE APPLIED FULL FLAPS. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS BLOWN OFF THE CENTERLINE OF THE LANDING AREA WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 10 FT FT AGL. HE ELECTED TO GO AROUND WHEN THE PLANE WAS APRX 1/2 TO 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE INTENDED LANDING AREA. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR 60 FT TREES & THE HIGH TERRAIN AT THE END OF THE ROAD. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT STRUCK TREES AND THEN THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT HE ACCIDENTLY LEFT THE FLAPS ABOUT 10 TO 15 DEG DOWN. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 2600 FT & THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 70 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1498F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 54993
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry L. Berndt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1982, 180 hours before
- Departed: RLD, RICHLAND, WA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 84 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19830512018889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830512018889A), May 12, 1983: Cessna 172H, Inchelium, WA, Substantial damage. Struck trees on belated go around after trying to land on a road. Mountain rising terrain at end of road area.

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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