# NTSB SEA85LA038: Cessna 172, N4502E, Port Townsend, WA, January 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1984, 16:30 local (Jan 1, 1985, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Townsend, WA
- Coordinates: 48.02909, -122.84011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0291&lon=-122.8401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT ONCE AIRBORNE DURING TAKEOFF, THE LEFT WING DROPPED. PLT ATTEMPTED REMEDIAL ACTION, HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTACTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TAXIWAY IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4502E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271615
- Airframe hours: 1856
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Winston Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1984, 50 hours before
- Departed: 0S9, PORT TOWNSEND, WA
- Destination: 0S9, PORT TOWNSEND, WA
- Airport: 0S9, Jefferson County Intern'L, runway 9, 3,300 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 10 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841231069219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841231069219A), Dec 31, 1984: Cessna 172N, Port Townsend, WA, Substantial damage. Lifted off early with low airspeed and tailwind. Left wing dropped, aborted takeoff, hit nose low left wing down.

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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