# NTSB SEA87LA085: Cessna 172N, N1935F, Ritter Butte, OR, April 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1987, 17:21 local (Apr 25, 1987, 00:21 UTC)
- Place: Ritter Butte, OR
- Coordinates: 44.799327, -119.12902 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7993&lon=-119.1290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40616
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40616/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA085

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system,alternator - not switched (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - failure,total (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLT THE PLT NOTICED THAT HE WAS GRADUALLY LOSING HIS COMMUNICATIONS RADIO AND NAVIGATIONAL INSTRUMENTS. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES WERE QUICKLY APPROACHING EMPTY. SINCE HOSTILE TERRAIN WAS AHEAD THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ONTO A ROAD. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN THE PLT NOTICED A CAR IN HIS LANDING PATH. A TURN WAS MADE DURING THE GO-AROUND AND THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT ONTO RISING TERRAIN WHERE THE NOSE WHEEL DUG IN AND BROKE OFF WITH THE ACFT NOSING OVER INVERTED. NO ABNORMALITIES OTHER THAN A DEAD BATTERY WAS FOUND. FUEL STAINS WERE EVIDENT ON THE GROUND AND 8+ GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1935F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1935F-1990-07-19), registration cancelled 1990-07-19, S/N 17273025 (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: 17273025
- Airframe hours: 2242
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bob Tuning
- Registered owner: Bob Tuning
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 1987, 5 hours before
- Departed: H10, HILLSBORO, OR
- Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 218 total, 78 in this make and model, 171 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19870424011379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870424011379A), Apr 24, 1987: Cessna 172N, Ritter Butte, OR, Destroyed. Lost electric power en route and low fuel. Nosed over landing. Dead battery and fuel cap leak. Could make an 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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