# NTSB SEA85LA199: Cessna 172P, N54016, Preston, ID, August 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1985, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Preston, ID
- Coordinates: 42.199966, -111.740158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2000&lon=-111.7402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA199

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED AT PRESTON, ID, FOR FUEL IN A X-WIND OF 15-20 KTS, GUSTING TO 30 KTS. A GUST AT TOUCHDOWN VEERED THE ACFT TO THE RT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND WITH FULL FLAPS. FLAPS WERE REDUCED AS A STALL OCCURRED. THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND AND BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR. AFTER COLLIDING WITH POWER LINES THE ACFT ROLLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 7200 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54016](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54016-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 17274846, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274846
- Airframe hours: 816
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas W.Hayes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: MLD, MALAD, ID
- Destination: U10, PRESTON, ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: U10, Preston, runway 21, 3,170 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 421 total, 421 in this make and model, 391 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLD, 18 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 19850819069829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850819069829A), Aug 19, 1985: Cessna 172P, Preston, ID, Destroyed. Attempted go around in gusty crosswind. Settled into field ,struck wires. Density altitude,towering cumulus factors

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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