# NTSB SEA87LA002: Cessna 172N, N734EP, Roseburg, OR, October 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1986, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Roseburg, OR
- Coordinates: 43.249591, -123.240745 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2496&lon=-123.2407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising

## Analysis

THE PLT INITIATED THE TAKEOFF FROM A TAXIWAY WITH A 100 FT OBSCURED SKY AND 1/4 VISIBILITY IN FOG. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN THE RWY HEADING DURING INITIAL CLIMB. THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT OF THE TAXIWAY AND STRUCK TREES LOCATED ON RISING TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734EP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734EP-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 17268799, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268799
- Airframe hours: 1630
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Wessell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1986
- Departed: RSB, ROSEBURG, OR
- Destination: S98, KENNEWICK, WA
- Airport: RSB, Roseburg Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 625 total, 396 in this make and model, 502 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RSB, 5 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 19861004047739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861004047739A), Oct 4, 1986: Cessna 172N, Roseburg, OR, Destroyed. The aircraft struck trees after takeoff. VFR pilot took off in IFR conditions from a taxiway on a closed airport.

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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