# NTSB SEA87FA100: Cessna 172, N5711A, Ritzville, WA, May 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1987, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Ritzville, WA
- Coordinates: 47.06977, -118.469413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0698&lon=-118.4694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA100

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

OCCUPANTS OF BOTH ACFT WERE FAMILY MEMBERS TRAVELING IN COMPANY FOR HOLIDAY. TAKEOFF WAS ABOUT ONE MIN APART WITH N44726 IN TRAIL. DUE HIGHER NORM CRZ PERFORMANCE, N44726 OVERTOOK N5711A. PLT OF N44726 REDUCED SPEED AND ESTABLISHED POSITION ABOUT 1/2 MILE TO RIGHT OF N5711A AT SAME ALT. PLT OF N44726 STATED HE NEXT SAW N5711A DIRECTLY IN FRONT AS COLLISION OCCURRED. EVIDENCE SHOWS N44726 SEVERED TAIL CONE FROM N5711A JUST FWD OF EMPENNAGE. N44726 WAS LANDED SAFELY DESPITE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, cruise
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, cruise
  - visual lookout - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N5711A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5711A-1996-10-07), registration cancelled 1996-10-07, S/N 28311 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28311
- Airframe hours: 2301
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth L. Sager
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1986, 56 hours before
- Departed: 33S, RITZVILLE, WA
- Destination: S62, ATHOL, ID

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N44726](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44726-2004-02-12), registration cancelled 2004-02-12, S/N 28-7505004, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7505004
- Airframe hours: 1000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earl L. Moritz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1987, 10 hours before
- Departed: 33S, RITZVILLE, WA
- Destination: S62, ATHOL, ID
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N5711A; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 97 total, 47 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days
- Pilot, aircraft N44726; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 82 total, 8 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

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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