# NTSB SEA85FA120: Cessna 205, N125ZL, Chewelah, WA, May 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1985, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Chewelah, WA
- Coordinates: 48.260082, -117.760871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2601&lon=-117.7609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA120

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - climb - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING UP A CANYON AT LOW ALTITUDE WHILE CLIMBING AT AN ANGLE EQUIVALENT TO THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN SLOPE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED STEEPLY UPSLOPING TERRAIN AND BEGAN IMPACTING TREES IN A LEFT WING HIGH AND NOSE UP ATTITUDE WHILE STILL UNDER POWER. THERE WAS NOT EVIDENCE OF ANY POWERPLANT MALFUNCTION. THE WIFE OF THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT POSSESS ANY EXPERIENCE FLYING IN AND AROUND THE TERRAIN NEAR THE ACCIDENT AREA. THE DENSITY ALT AT THE ACCIDENT WAS ESTIMATED AT 6500 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N125ZL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N125ZL-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 205-0037, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 205
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5) (registry code 2073404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2050037
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-S 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Zeph Lane
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1984
- Departed: 63S, COLVILLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 63S, 17 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 19850520036309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850520036309A), May 20, 1985: Cessna 2105, Chewelah, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft stalled during atempt to climb over sharply rising terrain. Density altitude a factor.

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.