# NTSB SEA84LA140: Cessna 172, N51785, Wenatchee, WA, June 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1984, 19:00 local (Jun 25, 1984, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.300411, -122.259841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3004&lon=-122.2598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA140

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A LOW PASS OVER A HERD OF ELK IN HILLY TERRAIN.HE REPORTED THAT AFTER ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT, HE DECIDED HE COULD NOT CLIMB OUT OF THE VALLEY & LANDED WITH FULL FLAPS. THE DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 5400 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51785](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51785-1985-09-16), registration cancelled 1985-09-16, S/N 17274345 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274345
- Airframe hours: 848
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Martin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 5, 1984, 38 hours before
- Departed: EAT, WENATCHEE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 213 total, 6 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 15 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 19840624029899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840624029899A), Jun 24, 1984: Cessna 172P, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. Unable to pull out of a downdraft while flying at 200 ft AGL spotting elk. Struck trees on side of a ridge.

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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