# NTSB SEA85FA124: Cessna 177, N2276Y, Selma, OR, May 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1985, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Selma, OR
- Coordinates: 42.260322, -123.589752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2603&lon=-123.5898&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): 40047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA124

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A CAP SEARCH MISSION WITH A PLT & 2 OBSERVERS ON BOARD. WHILE SEARCHING, THE PLT WAS FLYING RELATIVELY LOW & SLOW OVER WOODED, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT ENTER A BOWL OR BOX CANYON TYPE AREA AT OR BELOW HIS EYE LEVEL. THE TERRAIN IN THIS AREA ROSE TO THE EAST, NORTH & WEST. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT ENTERED THE AREA FROM THE SOUTH, THEN BEGAN A 180 DEG TURN, BUT COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE THE PLT WAS ABLE TO  EXIT. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 1600 FT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2276Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700076
- Airframe hours: 1392
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1985, 78 hours before
- Departed: 3S8, GRANTS PASS, OR
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total, 150 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F

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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