# NTSB SEA85LA164: Cessna 172, N8655U, Idaho City, ID, July 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1985, 20:50 local (Jul 14, 1985, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Idaho City, ID
- Location: 43.8899° N, 115.8216° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from IDAHO CITY USFS (U98), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8899&lon=-115.8216&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - , pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN.  A TREE WAS STRUCK WITH THE LEFT WING TIP. AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE AIRCRAFT MUSHED INTO TREES. DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF COMPUTED TO BE ABOUT 6000 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALSO VERY CLOSE TO GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8655U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17252557
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Malin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: IDA, IDAHO CITY, ID
- Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID
- Airport: U98, Idaho

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 3 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850713031109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850713031109A), Jul 13, 1985: Cessna 172F, Idaho City, ID, Substantial damage. Struck trees after takeoff into area of high terrain. Density altitude a factor in near gross aircraft.

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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