# NTSB SEA85LA224: Cessna 172PII, N51698, Brinnon, WA, September 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1985, 20:28 local (Sep 21, 1985, 03:28 UTC)
- Place: Brinnon, WA
- Coordinates: 47.689125, -122.990188 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6891&lon=-122.9902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA224

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inattentive, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - comm/nav equipment,distance measuring eqpt(dme) - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT COLLIDED WITH VERTICAL ROCK FACE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN 32 MINS AFTER TAKEOFF ON NIGHT VFR INSTRUMENT INSTRUCTION FLT, 31 MI WEST OF POINT OF DEPARTURE. RADAR TRK SHOWS ACFT PROCEEDED NW FOR 14 MINS, REVERSED COURSE FOR 4 MINS, THEN HEADED DUE WEST INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. ELEV OF THE CRASH SITE WAS 3700 FT. CLOUD BASES IN THE AREA (SEA LEVEL) WERE REPORTED TO BE 3000 TO 4000 FT WITH 8 MILES VIS, SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS AND HAZE. A MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM REPORTED ON-SITE CONDITION OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED COLLISION OCCURRED WITH THE ACFT IN LEVEL CRUISE FLT. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYEDBY IMPACT FORCES AND POST-IMPACT FIRE EXCEPT FOR THE OUTER WING PANELS AND EMPENNAGE. THE ACFT WAS NOT DME EQUIPPED AND AN INSTRUMENT TRAINING HOOD WAS ON BOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51698 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172PII
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274337
- Airframe hours: 1361
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald Hawks, doing business as Let'S Fly Flying Club
- Registered owner: Frank L. Abel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 10, 1985, 60 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 360 total, 38 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 31 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 19850920046909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850920046909A), Sep 20, 1985: Cessna 172P, Brinnon, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with sharply rising terrain at 3700 foot level. Weather conditions unknown. Sparse habitation, dark night.

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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