# NTSB SEA87FA166: Cessna 172RG, N9747B, Kettle Falls, WA, August 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1987, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Kettle Falls, WA
- Coordinates: 48.74018, -118.090553 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7402&lon=-118.0906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40534/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA166

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT, PLT ENTERED A CANYON INTO RISING TERRAIN, COLLIDING FIRST WITH A TREE AND THEN GROUND NEAR CREST. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ACFT PROBABLY HAD PERFORMANCE TO CLEAR CREST HAD TREE NOT BEEN STRUCK. CIRCUMSTANCES INDICATE PLT MANEUVERED LEFT TOWARD A SADDLE AND PROBABLY LOST SIGHT OF THE TREE CLOSE TO THE LEFT WING. BOTH PLT AND PAX DO NOT RECALL CRASH SEQUENCE, HOWEVER A WITNESS ON THE GROUND OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN NORTH UP A CANYON AND WAS CONCERNED ENOUGH TO FOLLOW IT BY GROUND VEHICLE UP A CANYON ROAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9747B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9747B-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 172RG1010, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (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: 1010
- Airframe hours: 991
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tracy A. Vandeventer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1986, 150 hours before
- Departed: 63S, COLVILLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 114 total, 34 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GEG, 55 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 19870817045919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870817045919A), Aug 17, 1987: Cessna 172RG, Kettle Falls, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a tree and crashed into rising terrain. Had flown up box canyon and unable to outclimb terrain.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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