# NTSB SEA86LA236: Cessna 172N, N737NT, Lord Flat, OR, August 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1986, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Lord Flat, OR
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT ELECTED TO GO-AROUND AT ABOUT FOUR FEET AGL. FLAPS WERE REDUCED FROM 40 DEGREES OF FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND A GENTLE RIGHT TURN WAS MADE DUE TO RISING TERRAIN. THE ACFT THEN SETTLED ONTO THE GROUND AND CROSSED TWO DITCHES BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME WAS COMPUTED TO BE APPROXIMATELY 7000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737NT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737NT-1989-09-13), registration cancelled 1989-09-13, S/N 17269552 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269552
- Airframe hours: 780
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill R. Phelps
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1986
- Departed: U60, BIG CREEK, ID
- Destination: LORD FLAT, OR
- Airport: Lord Flat

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 665 total, 180 in this make and model, 584 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19860829043049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860829043049A), Aug 29, 1986: Cessna 172N, Lord Flat, OR, Substantial damage. The aircraft settled into the ground during go around. The pilot failed to properly retract flaps.

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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