# NTSB SEA84LA082: Cessna 172N, N734JW, Harrisburg, OR, April 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1984, 19:35 local (Apr 14, 1984, 03:35 UTC)
- Place: Harrisburg, OR
- Coordinates: 44.26971, -123.049331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2697&lon=-123.0493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA082

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER THE SUN HAD SET, A HAZE FORMED NEAR THE GROUND. HE USED VISUAL REFERENCES TO ALIGN THE ACFT WITH THE PRIVATE RWY AT DUSK. AS HE APPROACHED, HE SAW WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS HEDGE ON THE EDGE OF THE ARPT & THEN MADE A SOFT FIELD LANDING. AFTER LANDING, HE SAW THE HEDGE AHEAD. HE PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROLS & APPLIED BRAKES, THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER ON SOFT TERRAIN, SHORT OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT DIFFUSION OF THE ACFT LANDING LIGHTS BY HAZE REDUCED HIS FORWARD VISIBILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734JW-1989-11-02), registration cancelled 1989-11-02, S/N 17268899 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268899
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald J. Coulter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Daniels Field, runway 34, 1,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 707 total, 54 in this make and model, 151 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19840413014149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840413014149A), Apr 13, 1984: Cessna 172N, Harrisburg, OR, Substantial damage. Aircraft nosed over on soft terrain during landing.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.